BHP (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) are among the mining companies invited to a White House roundtable on critical minerals hosted by US President Donald Trump, according to Bloomberg.
Executives from the two Australian mining giants are expected to join leaders from some of the largest US mining companies for the Friday meeting, which will focus on strengthening critical mineral supply chains.
The report adds that representatives from several prominent US miners are also expected to attend, including Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) and MP Materials (NYSE:MP) — the nation’s respective leaders in copper and rare earth elements.
Other invited companies include USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ:USAR), Energy Fuels (TSX:EFR), United States Antimony (NYSE:UAMY), and The Metals Company (NASDAQ:TMC). However, Bloomberg notes some invitees were still deciding whether to participate.
On the government side, Trump is expected to be joined by members of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Executive Director Jarrod Agen, and White House adviser David Copley.
Reuters reported earlier that representatives from all 14 accredited US mining schools have also been invited to the event.
A White House official cited by Bloomberg described the gathering as a “historic meeting of mining industry officials”, as the administration continues its push to expand domestic and allied supplies of critical minerals.
The meeting forms part of a broader series of measures the Trump administration has introduced to strengthen the supply chain of critical minerals needed for defence, energy, and advanced technologies, an area currently dominated by China.
Australia remains a key partner in the US critical minerals strategy. Last October, the two countries signed a landmark agreement committing more than US$3 billion ($4.3 billion) in investments to support mining projects across both nations.
Write to Jackson Chen at Mining.com.au
Image: The White House
