03/24/2025

Commercial Explosives Industry Applauds President Trump’s Executive Order to Boost Domestic Critical Mineral Production

Washington, DC – The Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) President Clark Mica today released the following statement in support of President Trump’s recent Executive Order titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production”:

“IME welcomes President Trump's Executive Order which aims to enhance America’s economic competitiveness and bolster American manufacturing by reducing bureaucratic red tape and accelerating public and private investment in the development of critical minerals.

“The U.S. commercial explosives industry contributes more than $19 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 60,000 U.S. jobs.

“Commercial explosives play a vital role in critical mineral development by enhancing extraction efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling access to hard-to-reach deposits. Through controlled blasting, our products optimize rock fragmentation, improve ore recovery, and minimize waste, leading to more efficient transportation and processing. Additionally, modern explosive technologies contribute to environmental sustainability and worker safety by reducing vibration, dust, and noise.

“We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the Trump Administration about how the commercial explosives industry can further support the President’s economic agenda and strengthen America’s domestic supply chains.”

ABOUT IME: The Institute of Makers of Explosives’ mission is to promote the safe and secure manufacture, transport, distribution, and use of commercial explosives. For more than 100 years, the Institute has represented U.S. manufacturers of commercial explosives and other companies that distribute commercial explosives or provide related products and services. Today, the commercial explosives industry accounts for over 60,000 jobs with an economic impact of more than $19 billion. Each year, an average of three million metric tons of commercial explosives are consumed in the United States and are essential to energy production, communications, technology manufacturing, highway and building construction, the healthcare delivery system, food, and the manufacturing of nearly all metals and mineral products. If you use or consume it, explosives make it possible.