Willy, here is a fascinating and detailed look at the resources market relative to the increasing demand for "alternative?" sources of energy.  As you suggest, if we can't get metals out of the ground in our own country, at what price can we get it from others?  ...seems to me that the accelerator pedal on the cost of imported goods is being pressed harder each day even as our government is taking resources off the market domestically.

Here is one extract from the link below: 

"In 20 years BloombergNEF says copper miners need to double the amount of global copper production, just to meet the demand for a 30% penetration rate of electric vehicles. That means an extra million tonnes a year, over and above what we mine now, every year for the next 20 years!"

https://aheadoftheherd.com/5-good-reasons-to-be-bullish-on-electrification-metals/

Of lesser interest here is that China is making cryptocurrencies illegal, adding to demand for monetary metals like gold and silver. 

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-cracks-down-harder-on-cryptocurrency-banning-all-transactions/

This is the start of a trend that will seriously damage the "coin" market. 

VP