A new report published on October 16, 2026, by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that the full extent of foreign investment in critical mineral mining on federal lands is unclear because companies are not required to disclose foreign ownership.
Oversight and Legal Framework
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service oversee hardrock mines on federal land. According to the GAO report, there were 632 approved hardrock mining plans of operation on federal land as of February 2026.
The 1872 Mining Law requires mining claimants to be U.S. citizens or business entities incorporated in the U.S., but foreign businesses can satisfy this requirement by having a U.S. subsidiary serve as the claimant. The law does not require BLM or the Forest Service to collect information on foreign parent companies.
Foreign Ownership Findings
The GAO reviewed ownership information for 43 claimants and operators associated with critical mineral mines on federal lands. After determining ownership for 32 of those companies, the GAO found that 14 were subsidiaries of foreign entities.
The GAO reported that none of the 14 foreign parent companies were Chinese-owned, but Chinese entities had a financial interest in the foreign parent companies in at least two cases. While the 1872 Mining Law lacks disclosure provisions, other federal agencies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States possess authorities to review foreign investment for potential national security concerns.
Key facts and where they come from
- Mining companies are not required to disclose foreign ownership of mines on federal land.
Mining companies aren't required to disclose foreign ownership of mines on federal land.
- The GAO reviewed ownership for 43 claimants and operators, determined ownership for 32, and found 14 were foreign subsidiaries.
GAO reviewed ownership information of 43 claimants and operators associated with critical mineral mines on federal lands. GAO determined ownership for 32 of those companies and found that 14 were subsidiaries of foreign entities.
- None of the 14 foreign parent companies were Chinese-owned, but Chinese entities held financial interests in at least two cases.
GAO found that none of the 14 had Chinese-owned parent companies, but in at least two cases, Chinese entities had financial interest in the foreign parent companies.
- As of February 2026, there were 632 approved hardrock mining plans of operation on federal land.
As of February 2026, there were 632 approved hardrock mining plans of operation on federal land.
