79-10-201. State critical mineral objectives and policy.
316 words·~1 min read·
/ut/title-79/chapter-10/79-10-201A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Effective 5/6/2026
79-10-201. State critical mineral objectives and policy.
(1)The state's long-term objectives related to critical minerals are:
(a)to capture 20% to 25% of United States domestic critical minerals demand;
(b)to process within the state 50% of the critical minerals extracted from within the state;
(c)to reduce average permitting timelines to less than 18 months;
(d)to establish and build out the Minerals for Industrial, National, and Economic Security Center, as provided in Part 6, Minerals for Industrial, National, and Economic Security Center; and
(e)to secure federal designation of an entity within the state as a United States critical minerals national laboratory.
(2)The state's policy related to critical minerals is to:
(a)pursue market-based solutions while using public policy to accelerate market performance;
(b)foster the long-term viability of extraction and processing operations;
(c)foster the long-term health of marketplaces to ensure private parties can invest confidently in the critical minerals industry;
(d)maximize resources available across the state, including natural, talent, processing, financial, and technological resources;
(e)leverage the Utah System of Higher Education, including technical colleges, to create a specialized talent pipeline for mining, geology, and processing;
(f)create a positive regulatory framework, including streamlined permitting for critical minerals processes;
(g)create intrastate, interstate, and federal partnerships that leverage available resources for state, regional, and national benefit;
(h)accelerate development of critical minerals zones; and
(i)support applied research partnerships between higher education, industry, and the state that support commercialization.
(3)State agencies, academia, and industry are encouraged to conduct activities consistent with Subsections
(1)and
(2).
(4)This section does not create a cause of action against the state's or a state agency's action that is inconsistent with Subsections
(1)and
(2)and does not waive governmental immunity under Title 63G, Chapter 7, Governmental Immunity Act of Utah.
Enacted by Chapter 493 , 2026 General Session