Being the most strategic and critical material, don’t be surprised if something similar to this takes place with silver and specifically with Hecla Mining:

Rare Earths Investment

The Defense Department has purchased $400M of stock in MP Materials, operator of the US’ sole rare earths mine, the company revealed yesterday. The deal requires MP Materials to build a new magnet manufacturing facility in the US and makes the Pentagon the company’s single largest shareholder, owning 15% of all shares. MP Materials’ stock rose roughly 50% on the news—the highest price point in three years. 

 

There are 17 rare earth elements in the world. The deal gives the US military preferential access to two—neodymium and praseodymium—at a 10-year minimum price of $110 per kilogram. Those ingredients are found in commercial items like car batteries and smartphones, but also weapons, including F-35 planes, drones, and submarines. China operates the largest rare earths mine and accounts for 70% of the global market. MP Materials operates the second-largest mine, in Mountain Pass, California. The deal comes as the Trump administration works to build up US independence in the industry, and amid ongoing trade negotiations.