The U.S. government is taking steps to address risks to its mineral supply chains. The Department of Defense is seeking to increase U.S. mineral production by financially supporting domestic mineral producers, and Congress is authorizing and appropriating funds for new material acquisitions for the National Defense Stockpile. Furthermore, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 directed the secretary of defense to secure critical minerals from “reliable sources” like Australia, and it added Australia and the United Kingdom to the list of countries eligible to receive priority funds for critical mineral projects, for example through the Defense Production Act. QUOTE COB cobalt/ nickel refinery development will be in strong demand by the US and allies in the coming years especially as the importance of defence becomes an issue IMO
