US Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve

In February 2026, the United States announced Project Vault, formally the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, as an independently governed public-private partnership intended to strengthen the security of critical mineral supply chains. The initiative is backed by up to USD 12 billion, comprising up to USD 10 billion in EXIM financing and approximately USD 2 billion in private capital. Unlike traditional government stockpiles, Project Vault is designed as a demand-driven reserve, with stockpiling decisions guided by long-term purchase commitments from manufacturers rather than centralised government forecasting. The reserve will support access to critical minerals during periods of market disruption, with an initial emphasis on rare earth elements. Complementary measures include equity investments in mining projects, bilateral price-floor arrangements, and EXIM-supported offtake financing to promote investment across critical mineral supply chains.

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