Trump to Host Mining CEOs to Bolster Critical Mineral Supplies for Defense

President Donald Trump is set to host executives from major mining companies at the State Department on Friday, as the administration intensifies efforts to secure domestic and allied supplies of critical minerals. The push is driven by the need to replenish weapons stockpiles depleted during the Iran conflict and to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

The five-month-long war has consumed large quantities of precision-guided missiles and air-defense interceptors. Defense officials and lawmakers warn that rebuilding some inventories could take years due to production constraints, though the administration disputes reports of severe shortages.

Minerals such as rare earths, tungsten, germanium, and scandium are vital for manufacturing advanced weapons systems, including fighter jets, armored vehicles, and infrared sensors, according to Pentagon officials and defense companies.

The roundtable will include about 200 participants, with executives from Resolution Copper, MP Materials, American Ocean Minerals, Ivanhoe Mines, and Century Aluminum. Top administration officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and National Security official David Copley, are also expected to attend.

The administration is also addressing a shortage of engineers, geologists, and miners. The Department of Energy will host representatives from all 14 accredited U.S. mining schools and announce $180 million in grants to boost mining education programs.

Since returning to office, Trump has launched a $12 billion strategic minerals stockpile, backed equity investments in domestic mining and processing projects, and moved to limit defense contractors' reliance on Chinese supplies. Officials argue that government support is necessary to counter decades of Chinese investment that have made Beijing dominant in global mineral production.