The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
NMA joins Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups North of 60 Mining News – April 17, 2020
The mining sector has been proactive in protecting the health of its miners during the COVID-19 outbreak and stands ready to revitalize the U.S. economy once the pandemic has passed.
Copper3D is harnessing the antimicrobial properties of copper and 3D printing to help provide virus resistant face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on the photo for more information in a recent Metal Tech News article.
Looking "to chart the path forward toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity" in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump has pulled together a wide array of business and thought leaders into various "Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups."
National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan was named among the esteemed leaders to the United States economic recovery group.
"We appreciate President Trump's leadership during this unprecedented time of crisis and for proactively gathering this important group together to chart the course for recovery" said Nola. "The mining industry stands ready to do its part to make sure we not only win this fight but come out the other side even stronger."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has already deemed mining essential to America's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and among 16 critical infrastructure industries that "have a special responsibility in these times to continue operations."
Further details on DHS naming mining among critical infrastructure industries can be read at Mining essential to US COVID 19 response in the April 1 edition of North of 60 Mining News.
"As an essential industry, we are focused on protecting our people and are taking proactive steps to do so," said Nolan. "Our mines continue to operate to produce the materials that are the critical building blocks of American industry, a stable supply chain and our economy."
The global spread of COVID-19 has also underscored the role of minerals and metals in the spread, contraction and treatment of disease.
Copper, for instance, has powerful antimicrobial properties. While copper's medicinal qualities have been known for millennia, recent research has shown that the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak can only survive on copper for a few hours, compared to days on other surfaces.
Silver and graphene both have similar antiviral properties.
In addition, clinical trials have demonstrated that zinc in lozenges and syrups lessen the severity and duration of severe acute respiratory (SARS) coronaviruses and would likely help your body put up a stronger fight against the strain responsible for COVID-19.
This is on top of the fundamental fact that every other economic sector relies on the products produced by mining – whether it be the metals that go into making products from aluminum foil and nails to smartphones and solar panels, or simply using these products to conduct business.
"From the antimicrobial metals that are helping the nation's doctors and nurses save lives, to the materials required for our infrastructure and fuels that support our electricity grid, mined materials are playing a vital role in helping the nation weather this storm," said Nolan.
The NMA leader said the mining sector stands ready to help the White House chart a path toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity.
"At the end of this crisis, our nation's miners will continue to provide the foundation for our recovery," he said. "Our industry looks forward to contributing to the discussion and supporting the American economy."
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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