This week, President Trump gathered a group of the nation’s CEOs on a call to chart a course for our economic recovery. Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the National Mining Association, participated, bringing mining’s voice to the highest levels of government.

Upon being named to President Trump’s “Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups,” Mr. Nolan said, “The mining industry stands ready to do its part to make sure we not only win this fight but come out the other side even stronger.” It’s a message he has delivered to the administration and congress multiple times during this trying stretch of weeks.

He continued, “As an essential industry, we are focused on protecting our people and are taking proactive steps to do so. Our mines continue to operate to produce the materials that are the critical building blocks of American industry, a stable supply chain and our economy.”

The road to recovery is not going to be a short one, but once the crisis has abated, the mining industry is prepared to provide the foundation for the recovery we know will come. America’s mines and miners provide the antimicrobial metals that are helping the nation’s doctors and nurses save lives, the materials essential to our infrastructure, as well as the fuels that power the grid to keep the lights on in homes, businesses and hospitals.

The mining industry supports 537,000 direct jobs and more than 1 million additional indirect jobs. It’s the irreplaceable economic engine in many communities, and as an essential industry, it’s playing a critical role in keeping the nation moving forward even as most of us do our part by staying in place.

As we flatten the curve, the economy – piece by piece – will begin to be reassembled and come back online. Energy demand will bounce back and when it does the nation’s coal industry will be prepared to provide the reliable, on-demand power we know we will need.

Supply chains matter. Secure, domestic resources, and the industrial base to ramp up production when needed, is not something the nation can afford to continue to undervalue or overlook. With the world’s largest coal reserves, the U.S. is uniquely positioned to ensure an affordable, secure supply of energy. But it’s a supply and a measure of economic security some would see us abandon. That would be a terrible mistake. The nation is going to need an affordable, reliable supply of power more than ever we as work to get back on our feet.

The coal industry continues to need flexibility to navigate the near-term. Smart policy will ensure essential industries – especially those that underpin the nation’s affordable, reliable and secure supply of energy – are provided the means to not only weather the storm but become the vehicles to carry the recovery forward.