A first step would be for the US government to establish a list...

A first step would be for the US government to establish a list of companies from which American companies could source minerals—as in manufacturers of rare-earth magnets purchasing oxides from Australian company Lynas’s facility in Malaysia.Buying existing mines has the advantage that they have proven production, and Canadian and Australian mining companies are already doing this. Australian company Rio Tinto recently secured direct control of Mongolia’s Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine. To further reduce supply risk and strengthen economic partnerships, the US government can work with the host country government to identify mines for acquisition, help finance the purchase by US companies, and establish processes to resolve any disputes.Developing mines costs billions of dollars up front, and securing that capital at reasonable rates, especially for projects in high-risk countries, is difficult. The US government could provide cheap capital for US companies to develop such mines. US companies could partner with Canadian and Australian companies seeking to develop overseas mines, such as BHP, which has invested $40 million in Tanzania’s Kabanga Nickel project.A US company could identify a project and seek the US government’s financial support and help in negotiating with the host country to secure the mining concessions. QUOTE
COB must look attractive to a number of large companies as well as the US Government IMO.

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/securing-the-critical-minerals-that-america-and-its-allies-lack/