American tech giant Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) increased US$600 billion ($919.8 billion) investment is the latest sign that America is serious about making its own products, from silicon chips to rare earth magnets, on its own turf.
Apple increased its previous commitment by US$100 billion this week to accelerate its US investment, which now includes the new American Manufacturing Program.
CEO Tim Cook says the investment includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America.
“They produce components that are used in Apple products sold all over the world,” Cook says.
Around two thirds of the Apple parts and components manufactured in the US are exported.
Apple says it partners with thousands of suppliers across all 50 states, supporting more than 450,000 supplier and partner jobs.
In the next four years, the company plans to directly hire 20,000 people in the US, with the vast majority focused on research and development, silicon engineering, software development, and artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In July, Apple committed to buying American-made rare earth magnets developed by Nevada-headquartered MP Materials (NYSE:MP) — the only fully integrated rare earth producer in the US.
The two companies plan to establish a rare earth recycling line in Mountain Pass, California.
Apple is also investing in developing and manufacturing semiconductors and semiconductor equipment in Texas, Utah, Arizona and New York.
COO Sabih Khan says Apple engineers will work closely with suppliers across the US to create silicon chips.
This US silicon supply chain is on track to produce more than 19 billion chips for Apple products in 2025, according to the company.
“We’re committed to supporting US suppliers involved in every key stage of the chip-making process — from the earliest stages of research and development, to final fabrication and packaging,” Khan says.
“We want America to lead in this critical industry, and we’re expanding our efforts to grow a silicon manufacturing ecosystem that will benefit innovators across America.”
US President Donald Trump welcomed the news saying it aligns with the government’s agenda of taking back control of its supply chains.
“For years, Americans have watched as many of our leading tech giants built their factories overseas and exported American jobs abroad – but under the Trump administration, we’re doing everything possible to make this the best place on earth to build a factory or grow businesses,” Trump said following the news.
Fast tracking critical minerals growth
To support the growth of US manufacturing, the nation is also heavily focused on growing its own resource inventories, which has provided significant tailwinds for explorers active across the US in the form of financial incentives and accelerated permitting for critical minerals projects.
In mid-July, Graphite One’s (TSX-V:GPH) Graphite Creek Project in Alaska was added to the US Government’s FAST-41 Dashboard.
Projects listed under the FAST-41 program typically receive a record of decision 25% faster than unrelated projects, according to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.
Graphite Creek is the first Alaska-based project to make it onto the federal dashboard.
Graphite One this week announced it had completed its coordinated project plan, which comprises a list of roles for environmental review and authorisation responsibilities, a timetable for completion dates, discussions for mitigation strategies, as well as a public schedule.
CEO Anthony Huston says Graphite One’s ability to coordinate with federal agencies involved in permitting to create a transparent plan is a testament to the dashboard’s process.
“With President Trump’s Critical Mineral and Alaska Executive Orders, Graphite One is positioned at the leading edge of a domestic critical mineral renaissance that will power transformational applications from energy and transportation to artificial intelligence infrastructure and national defence,” Huston says.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy says Graphite Creek is North America’s largest deposit of natural graphite, foundational to any effort to rebuild US domestic supply chains.
“We now have a concrete timeline of 13.5 months for federal agencies to bring it through the permitting process,” Dunleavy says.
The US currently has no natural graphite production, yet graphite is one of the biggest inputs in a lithium-ion battery. A 50 kilowatt-hour electric vehicle battery requires 100kg of graphite, substantially more than the lithium, manganese, cobalt and nickel combined that is needed to make the battery.
Graphite serves to make the anode, the negative terminal, due to its increased electrical conductivity and stability.
The US also only has one rare earths operation which has prompted the government to invest heavily in the industry through its Department of Defense.
Reuters reported last week that top White House officials met with rare earths firms and tech giants, including Apple and Microsoft, to discuss ways to boost US critical minerals production and curb China’s market dominance.
One suggestion tabled, according to sources that spoke to Reuters, was a minimum price guarantee for rare earths products.
Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro and National Security Council official David Copley reportedly told the meeting that a floor price for rare earths extended to MP Materials in July as part of a multibillion-dollar investment by the Pentagon was “not a one-off” and that similar deals were also in the works.
Antimony projects advance to secure defence supply
Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) this week appointed Tribeca Capital as a strategic advisor, to support the company’s critical minerals growth strategy in the US.
As part of the appointment, Tribeca will support Locksley by facilitating introductions to potential advisory board members and funding agencies, as well as establishing relationships to strengthen the company’s positioning in the US critical minerals sector.
Locksley also recently listed on the OTCQB Venture Market in the US.
The company’s flagship project is the Mojave Antimony and Rare Earths Project, located just 1.4km from Mountain Pass in California.
Locksley is in the process of securing approvals from the Bureau of Land Management to undertake an expanded drilling program at the project.
Antimony is a critical material for military applications, more commonly known for its use in hardening the lead alloy in bullets, which prompted the US Department of Defense to take measures to secure domestic antimony stockpiles.
China is the dominant producer of antimony, with over 75% market share. The supply-demand gap is further compounded by the limited resources outside of the country and there are no operating mines where antimony is the primary metal produced.
Military Metals (CSE:MILI) has a portfolio of projects prospective for antimony including the Last Chance deposit in Nevada, where the company is planning to follow-up new discoveries made during an initial fieldwork program.
CEO Scott Eldridge says the critical significance of antimony continues to grow due to reliance within the defence sector and the global shift towards renewable energy.
“The US will require multiple antimony projects to satisfy its domestic consumption demands to become self-reliant,” Eldridge says.
Felix Gold (ASX:FXG) also has antimony in its portfolio and is actively engaging with US state and federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, with respect to its Treasure Creek Antimony-Gold Project in Alaska.
Felix is targeting first domestic antimony concentrate production by Q4 2025 or Q1 2026.
Tungsten is also critical to military applications – used in armour-piercing ammunition and for armour-plating in vehicles and protective gear.
American Tungsten (CSE:TUNG) is accelerating development of its IMA Mine in Idaho.
CEO Ali Haji says as global demand for secure critical metals intensifies, the company is building strategic momentum, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of North America’s tungsten supply chain.
“The company’s dual approach – revitalising a historically rich asset while defining a maiden resource – positions American Tungsten at the forefront of sustainable resource advancement,” Haji says.
“Following several months of detailed environmental assessment, engineering design and community engagement, American Tungsten is entering the next phase of its IMA Mine rehabilitation strategy.
“With a fully financed program, the company has secured preliminary approval for its site remediation plan which focuses on resorting the existing infrastructure to support future production goals.”
Earlier this week American Tungsten expanded its mining operations team with two new appointments.
Nevada lithium play targets 2025 maiden resource
ASX-listed explorer Astute Metals (ASX:ASE) is working towards the definition of a maiden lithium resource for its Red Mountain Project in Nevada by the end of 2025.
CEO Matt Healy told Mining.com.au at the recent Noosa Mining Investor Conference there was a lot of support for mining projects from the US Government.
“Being in the US, it’s very clear that the Americans want to establish their own critical minerals supply chains”
“Being in the US, it’s very clear that the Americans want to establish their own critical minerals supply chains,” he said.
“If you look at the amount of capital raising done for ASX companies that have recently taken on not just Nevada projects, but US projects more generally, there’s a lot of capital from the US for mining. It’s this whole reduced permitting timeframes, drill baby drill.”
Astute this week raised $1.39 million via a tranche-one placement to a group of sophisticated investors, as part of a broader $5.5 million capital raising that will help streamline the maiden resource estimate for Red Mountain and undertake drill testing of identified targets at the Needles Gold Project – also in Nevada.
Faraday Copper (TSX:FDY), meanwhile, is on track to deliver an updated resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment for its flagship Copper Creek Project in Arizona during Q3 2025.
The 3km-long porphyry deposit so far hosts combined open pit and underground measured and indicated resources totalling 421.9 million tonnes @ 0.48% copper equivalent for 4.46 billion contained pounds.
It also hosts a combined inferred resource of 83.6 million tonnes @ 0.36% copper equivalent for 669 million contained pounds.
The copper equivalent resources comprise copper, molybdenum and silver.
Faraday is undertaking a phase-four drilling program to drill test a number of new targets within the American Eagle area and expand resources.
Fellow copper hunter Giant Mining (CSE:BFG) is utilising an artificial intelligence-assisted geophysical modelling system to optimise exploration efforts at its Majuba Hill Porphyry Copper-Silver-Gold Project in Nevada.
The company will undertake a phase-two drilling program as it works towards a maiden resource.
CEO David Greenway says the technology will accelerate discovery in the upcoming drill program, while also reducing overall risk when the demand for copper is surging.
“This is more than just a drill program – it’s a pivotal step in reshoring critical mineral production and reclaiming American leadership in the copper supply chain,” Greenway says.
“The opportunity to invest in US-based copper assets has never been more urgent – or more strategic.”
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Apple, Graphite One & Locksley Resources
