Braden Harker, a former federal official and economist, has been tapped to lead the U.S. Geological Survey’s main hub for analyzing the flow and production of critical minerals and assessing threats, according to an email obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News.
Harker is now director of the USGS’ National Minerals Information Center, according to an email that Michael Tupper, the agency’s northeast region director, sent to staff. He replaces Steve Fortier, who retired in January. Dan Hayba has been serving in an acting role since then.
The growing focus on the need for critical minerals has thrust the National Minerals Information Center into the spotlight on and off Capitol Hill, and Harker will likely weigh in on what threats the nation faces before Congress —from pandemics to tariffs and China’s moves to ban the export of minerals.
Harker could also be called upon to provide insight into a brewing debate over what minerals should be considered critical and whether copper should be added to the USGS list, a move that lawmakers from mining-heavy states have repeatedly lobbied for.
