Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Trump to meet mining CEOs in critical minerals push
The president of the United States is meeting with leaders of big mining companies.
Mining companies dig metals and special rocks out of the ground.
Some of these metals are used to build military machines like fighter jets and missiles.
The government wants to make sure there are enough of these metals.
Right now, many of them come from China, and the US wants to rely less on China.
The military also used up some of its supplies during a recent conflict with Iran.
The government will announce new deals to help mining companies build more mines.
It also wants more students to study mining so there will be enough workers in the future.
The president has already started saving a big stockpile of minerals worth $12 billion.
The government says this help is needed because China has been investing in mining for many years.
US President Donald Trump will host executives from major mining companies at the State Department on Friday.
The effort aims to strengthen domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains for defence production and reduce reliance on China.
Expected attendees include Rio Tinto, BHP Group, Freeport-McMoRan, MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, Energy Fuels and The Metals Company.
The administration is expected to announce investment agreements and memorandums of understanding to boost domestic mining and mineral processing.
Trump has launched a $12 billion strategic minerals stockpile and measures to cut defence contractors' reliance on Chinese mineral supplies.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and executives from major mining companies including Rio Tinto, BHP Group, Freeport-McMoRan, MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, Energy Fuels and The Metals Company.
- What
- A meeting to secure critical minerals for defence manufacturing and national security, with new investment deals and workforce initiatives expected to be announced.
- When
- Friday
- Where
- The State Department in Washington, with the Department of Energy hosting representatives from US mining schools earlier the same day.
- Why
- To replenish military stockpiles depleted during the recent Iran conflict, reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled mineral supply chains, and address a shortage of engineers, geologists, miners and technicians.
- Event
- White House meeting with mining industry executives at the State Department
- Date
- Friday
- Key minerals
- Rare earths, tungsten, germanium, scandium
- Expected attendees
- Rio Tinto, BHP Group, Freeport-McMoRan, MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, Energy Fuels, The Metals Company
- Strategic minerals stockpile
- $12 billion
- Defence uses
- Precision-guided missiles, fighter aircraft, armoured vehicles, infrared sensors
- Workforce initiative
- Department of Energy hosting representatives from all 14 accredited US mining schools
- Goal
- Strengthen domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China