Trump to host mining CEOs as administration seeks minerals for defense supply chains

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will convene executives from some of the world's largest mining companies at the State Department on Friday as his administration intensifies efforts to secure domestic and allied supplies of critical minerals, a cornerstone of its national security and industrial policy.

The White House needs critical minerals to replenish weapons stockpiles depleted during the Iran conflict and reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains.

U.S. forces have burned through large numbers of precision-guided ‌missiles and air-defense interceptors ⁠during ⁠the five-month-long Iran war. Defense officials and lawmakers have warned that replenishing some inventories could take years given existing production constraints, even as ​the Trump administration has disputed reports of significant shortages.


Supplies of minerals including rare earths, tungsten, germanium and scandium are essential ​for manufacturing precision-guided missiles, fighter aircraft, armored vehicles, infrared sensors and other advanced weapons systems, according to Pentagon officials and defense companies.

The White House frequently uses roundtable events to showcase support from corporate executives, surrounding Trump with ​industry leaders who praise his policies and highlight the administration's economic priorities. ⁠The format ‌allows companies to publicly endorse White House initiatives while giving Trump a platform to ​emphasize his efforts ​to boost investment, manufacturing and U.S. competitiveness.

EXECUTIVES AND TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS

The gathering will include ⁠some 200 people, a White House official said. The executives at the ​round table include Vickey Peacey, president of Resolution Copper, which is controlled by ​Rio Tinto and BHP; Jim Litinsky, CEO of rare earths producer MP Materials; Tom Albanese, chairman of deep-sea mining firm American Ocean Minerals; Robert Friedland, chairman of copper miner Ivanhoe Mines; and Jesse Gary, CEO of Century Aluminum, which is developing an Oklahoma smelter, a White House official told Reuters.

The gathering will also include top administration officials Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and National Security ‌official David Copley, the official said.

The administration is also seeking to address a shortage of engineers, geologists, miners and technicians needed to expand the domestic mining industry.

The Department of Energy ​is expected to ​host representatives from all 14 ⁠accredited U.S. mining schools to promote mining careers and encourage more students to enter the field. The agency will announce $180 million in grants to help boost educational programs, the official said.

Officials have pointed to China's extensive network ​of mining universities as a key advantage in its dominance of global mineral production.

Since returning to office, Trump has launched a $12 billion strategic minerals stockpile, backed equity investments in companies developing U.S. mines and processing facilities, and sought to limit defense contractors from relying on supplies from China.

The administration says government support is needed to counter decades of Chinese investment that left Beijing dominant in the mining and processing of many strategic minerals.