Washington, Aug 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Friday announced more than $2 billion in investments in critical-mining and related projects as his administration seeks to rebuild domestic mineral production, strengthen defence supply chains and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign sources for strategic raw materials.
Trump also announced more than $180 million for mining education, workforce development and technology programmes during a mining industry roundtable hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department.
“Critical minerals are the raw materials of American strength that power everything from advanced weaponry to automobiles, and we want these essential products to be mined, refined, and made right here in the USA with the American skill and American hands,” Trump said.
He added that the United States had highly skilled workers and emphasised the administration’s intention to accelerate domestic mining and processing.
Trump said the US was opening mines at the fastest pace since the 1950s. The White House said the new investments would help address vulnerabilities in critical supply chains, safeguard the defence industrial base against geopolitical disruptions and support the development of next-generation technologies.
The largest investment announced was a $1.4 billion commitment from the Department of War to California-based Sila Nanotechnologies. The funding will support the expansion of silicon-carbon battery anode production and the establishment of a lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility. These materials have applications in satellites, unmanned aerial systems and munitions.
Another $400 million will be invested in Sunrise Energy Metals to develop a domestic scandium supply chain, including what the White House described as the world’s first primary scandium mine. Scandium is used in high-temperature aluminium alloys for applications including fighter aircraft and spacecraft.
Minnesota-based Niron Magnetics will receive $150 million to develop permanent magnets that do not rely on rare earth elements. The initiative is aimed at reducing vulnerabilities associated with dependence on foreign sources of critical materials used in advanced manufacturing and defence technologies.
More than $85 million will be allocated to Standard Bauxite to secure supplies of refractory-grade bauxite, a material used to manufacture products capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures.
The Export-Import Bank will provide $8 million to 5E Advanced Materials for development of a boron deposit in California. It will also provide $25 million each to Westwater Resources in Alabama for graphite production and Global Advanced Materials in Pennsylvania for tantalum and niobium projects.
Separately, the US International Development Finance Corporation will match a $4.8 million investment in Harena Rare Earths for development of a mining project in Madagascar. The project is intended to secure magnet metals and rare earth elements needed by American manufacturers.
Alongside investments in mining infrastructure, Trump announced $100 million for 14 mining schools, with the aim of doubling the number of graduates earning qualifications in mining, minerals and related supply chains.
“We’re thrilled to announce that we're delivering 100 million dollars to train the next generation of American miners,” Trump said.
More than $80 million will separately support workforce programmes and technology innovation hubs at three institutions. The White House said $81 million in grants would be directed to the Colorado School of Mines, South Dakota School of Mines and Johns Hopkins University.
Rubio, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined mining executives and university representatives at the roundtable. The White House described the gathering as the largest meeting between a US president and mining industry leaders in more than 120 years.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
