Gov. Sean Parnell signed a resolution Wednesday that calls for increased exploration and mining of rare earth elements.
Rare earth elements or minerals are widely used in the manufacture of modern technology ranging from hybrid cars to wind power generators to flat screen TVs.
China currently leads the rare earth mining industry, producing 90 percent of the world’s supply.
In 2010 the USGS released a report finding that the United States was home to an estimated 13 million metric tons of rare earth elements. Alaska is one of 14 states the USGS reports as having significant deposits.
The resolution also seeks assistance from the United States Geological Survey to help identify rare earth deposits, to develop an information database and to promote an Alaska rare earth industry.