S.Amdt. 6298

SA 6298 is an amendment to bill S. 4784. It aims to add a new section titled "Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration" to the bill.

The purpose of this amendment is to establish a framework for the Secretary of State to enter into agreements with partner foreign countries to cooperate on mapping critical minerals and rare earth elements.

The amendment seeks to change the bill by adding the following:

• Prioritization of Onshoring: It expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should prioritize onshoring critical mineral processing.

• International Agreements: It allows the Secretary to negotiate agreements with partner foreign countries to increase the security and resilience of international supply chains.

• Objectives and Protections: The Secretary must seek to:

  • Help partner foreign countries map their reserves.
  • Give private companies from the United States or allied foreign countries the right of first refusal to develop those discovered minerals.
  • Protect mapping data from unauthorized access by entities in countries that are not part of the agreement or an allied foreign country.

• Implementation and Activities: The Secretary must partner with U.S. companies and facilitate private investment. Cooperative activities include data analysis, mineral resource assessment, scientific collaboration, training, and education at institutions of higher education.

• Accountability: The Secretary must notify and report to appropriate committees of Congress at least 30 days before entering an agreement, providing details on costs, funding, and the scope of the agreement.

• Private Sector Input: The Secretary is required to consult with private sector actors when selecting partner countries and assessing how to facilitate private sector interest.