When it comes to understanding where most product value streams begin, one often need look no further than the mining and metals industry.
The 12,714 active mines in the US provide the raw materials like iron ore and copper to make raw materials like steel and copper wiring. A critical by-product of all this mining activity is the production of tens of millions of tons of industrial sand and gravel that is needed in practically every major US infrastructure project. The US mining industry supports almost one million jobs through direct and indirect employment and generates almost three additional jobs in different business segments, and contributes nearly 57 billion dollars annually to the economy.
From the newest iPhone, latest vehicle model year, to jet and wind turbine blades, common, precious, and rare earth elements are the building blocks of nearly every convenience and basic necessity in every economy around the world. And while the technology used to mine and refine these elements into the components for modern life has changed from simply digging a hole with a shovel to massive, multi-story earth movers, the need for them has not. In fact, some minerals have become so important, that they are considered of critical importance to the US economy and US national security. Furthermore, the US Geological Survey highlighted in a recent report that the US is now "more reliant than ever for the minerals needed by our manufacturing, technology, energy, transportation, infrastructure and defense sectors."
Today, critical minerals are needed for the production of semiconductors that go in consumer electronics, fossil fuel-based and electric vehicles, and to support the expansion of a "green" economy and clean energy production. For example, wind turbines use rare earth elements like neodymium and dysprosium, solar cells need gallium, tellurium, silver, cadmium and indium, MRI machines need niobium-based superconducting magnets and jet engines have rhenium in their turbine blades. The US government considers several more common minerals to be critical, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, aluminum, chromium, cesium, and magnesium – just to name a few. Globally, the World Bank has estimated that the demand for critical minerals will increase 500 percent by the year 2050, and that the demand for lithium and graphite alone will increase by 4,000 percent in same timeframe.
While rare earth elements are not rare from the standpoint of being scarce, they are usually dispersed in small pockets instead of concentrated fields that are easy to access and mine. As a result, mining companies face increasing pressure to meet skyrocketing demand in both US and foreign markets all while facing labor shortages, geopolitical challenges, and significant supply chain and logistical issues throughout every aspect of the mining value stream, from mine exploration, development, operations, and closure.
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We do all the logistical legwork to find the best solution for your specific situation. It might mean an exclusive air charter, or perhaps expedited ground shipping that still gets your critical parts to its destination on time.
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Want status on your parts? Our team is always available to answer your questions, provide an update on your shipment’s location, and take new instructions 24/7/365. Call us any time.
Experienced Expeditors
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We develop plans that guarantee shipping services are supported by time-effective options whether the final destination is a major air hub, a manufacturing facility, or even a remote airstrip.
