New Delhi, India, August 8 (ANI): U.S. President Donald Trump has announced more than $2 billion in new investments in mining and mining-related projects, along with more than $180 million for mining schools, as his administration seeks to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign countries and bolster U.S. national security.
According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the investments were announced during a roundtable between Trump and mining industry leaders, described by the administration as the largest meeting between a U.S. president and mining industry leaders in more than 120 years.
The Department of War is investing $1.4 billion in California-based Sila Nanotechnologies to expand production of silicon-carbon battery anodes and build a lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility. The investment is aimed at strengthening supply chains for satellite operations, unmanned aerial systems and munitions.
The department is also investing $400 million in Sunrise Energy Metals to develop a full scandium value chain, including the world’s first primary scandium mine, while $150 million will go to Minnesota-based Niron Magnetics to develop and produce domestic, rare earth-free permanent magnets.
More than $85 million is being invested in Standard Bauxite to secure supplies of refractory-grade bauxite, which is used in high-temperature-resistant materials and critical industrial applications.
The Export-Import Bank is separately investing $8 million in 5E Advanced Materials to develop a boron deposit, $25 million in Westwater Resources for the Coosa Graphite Deposit in Alabama and another $25 million in Global Advanced Materials in Pennsylvania for tantalum and niobium projects.
The U.S. Development Finance Corporation is also matching a $4.8 million investment in Harena Rare Earths to develop a rare earth mine in Madagascar, aimed at securing key inputs for American manufacturing.
The administration said the investments are part of a broader effort to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources for critical materials used in automobiles, military equipment, factory machinery, smartphones and computers.
The White House said the U.S. critical mineral supply chain has contracted over several decades despite growing demand, making domestic mining, processing, refining, manufacturing and recycling capacity a national and economic security priority.
Alongside mining projects, the Department of Energy is investing $100 million in 14 U.S. mining schools to strengthen the workforce and double the number of graduates with mining, minerals and related supply-chain credentials. The Department of War is also investing more than $80 million in three schools for workforce development and technology innovation hubs.
The White House said the Trump administration has signed or approved 160 minerals-related deals worth nearly $40 billion since January 2025. Trump has also used Section 232 and executive orders to promote domestic production and address vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains.
The latest measures come as the administration continues its broader push to reshore strategic industries, secure defense supply chains and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals. (ANI)
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