Group 1 - The U.S. government is attempting to reduce foreign dependence and enhance domestic production of critical minerals by extracting high-value minerals from tailings and abandoned mines, including rare earths, lithium, cobalt, and uranium [1] - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has ordered modifications to streamline federal regulations and expedite project approvals for mineral recovery from coal reuse, tailings, and closed uranium mines [1] - The plan includes updating guidelines for federal funding support for these recovery projects and accelerating the review of proposed projects [1] Group 2 - The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been tasked with mapping mineral tailings on federal lands and identifying locations rich in critical minerals [1] - Significant mineral sources have been identified, including tellurium in the Bingham Canyon copper mine tailings in Utah and zinc and germanium in the long-abandoned Tar Creek tailings in Oklahoma [1] - Rare earth elements have also been discovered in the clay layers of the Appalachian and Illinois basins [1] Group 3 - The initiative reflects a strong commitment to achieving mineral independence and ensuring the U.S. maintains a competitive edge in advanced technologies that power the future [1] - Adam Suess, Deputy Secretary for Land and Mineral Management, stated that accelerating the recovery of critical minerals from tailings helps to fully tap into the U.S. mineral resource potential, promoting national security and economic growth [2] - This move is part of the implementation of Trump's strategy to revitalize the U.S. mining industry, as the country has fallen behind in the extraction and processing of critical minerals [2]