LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — There will be no more “Made in the USA,” with millions of jobs lost if the United States doesn’t start mining and stock piling certain strategic metals, according to Alisha A. Ahern, co-director of the Academics & Periodicals Department at American Elements, the global chemical and metals manufacturer which published the list. Today the company released the 2011 U.S. Endangered Elements List (EEL11) naming the five metals that can most upset American industry, especially if the countries that the U.S. imports the metals from decide to shut off supply.
American Elements funded preparation of the EEL11 to help manufacturers, the government and consumers better understand the gravity of the situation. 20th Century metals such as copper, iron, nickel and tin have given way to 21st Century critical metals, particularly the rare earths, of which the U.S. mines almost none.
“Today China mines a whopping 97 percent of all global rare earth production. America no longer has the resources to manufacture the things we invent,” says Ahern. “New metals like the rare earths have become essential to thousands of household goods including computers, cell phones, cars and nearly all electronics. If we lose access or run out of these elements, there will be no more ‘Made in the USA.'”
According to American Elements CEO Michael Silver, the List goes to America’s fundamental ability to generate prosperity, create jobs, defend itself and compete in the global economy. He adds, “Innovation is only the starting point. To manufacture the products flowing from great ideas, a nation must also have access to the critical materials on which the discoveries are based.”
The complete Endangered Elements List (EEL11) can be found here.