You are 100% correct.
Got into it on another thread where I stated that if we ever got into another “Proper” war-like WW2, we’d be in for it as we do not have the capacity to manufacture materials for any war effort.
He indicated that we would be able to “ramp up” production to meet demands.
Here is a PARTIAL list of the mines closed in the UP of Michigan and Mn. The largest producer of Iron ore in the world at one time. They produced 95% of the ore for the war effort in WW2
Iron River Michigan?-nope shut down.
Crystal Falls Michigan?-Shut down
Iron Mountain Michigan? Nope
Mather mine in Negaunee Michigan-nope
Ishpeming? nope
Iron River?-nope.
The Humbolt mine in Republic Mich? Nope.
Hibbing Mnn? Nope two of the three there are shut down.
Copper mines in the copper country of the UP? Nope..done, shut down.
The tilden and empire mines in Marquette Mich? Nope..they managed to shut that one half down saving a little less of 50% of the production there. That mine’s’ was combined in the later years.
It takes years to start up those mines as most of the equipment is demolished after shutdown-that stuff cant stay idle and then simply started back up, after a time, by the flip of a switch.
Excellent post, friend. All true. And absolutely frightening.