On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order initiating a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
To safeguard economic stability and national defense, the United States is driving forward domestic initiatives for critical mineral production, with gold at the forefront.
This investigation focuses on assessing the national security implications of U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals, including gold, and their derivative products. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in supply chains and to explore measures to promote domestic production and processing capabilities.
Processed critical minerals are foundational to various sectors, including defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing. The investigation will evaluate the impact of foreign market distortions and consider potential trade remedies to ensure a secure and sustainable domestic supply of these essential materials.
For more details, refer to the official announcement: White House Executive Order on Section 232 Actions .
Fact Sheet: Enhancing National Security and Economic Resilience
The administration's fact sheet elaborates on the strategic importance of critical minerals, highlighting their integral role in applications such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computing, radar systems, and secure communications equipment.
The document underscores the risks associated with overreliance on foreign suppliers and outlines the administration's commitment to strengthening domestic supply chains.
Key points include the potential for foreign producers to engage in price manipulation and export restrictions, which could jeopardize U.S. defense capabilities and economic stability. The fact sheet emphasizes the need for immediate action to mitigate these risks and to promote domestic production of critical minerals.
Read the full fact sheet here: White House Fact Sheet on Section 232 Actions .
Advancing Domestic Critical Mineral Production Projects
In response to the executive order, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council announced the advancement of several critical mineral production projects. These initiatives aim to increase transparency, accountability, and predictability in the permitting review process, facilitating the development of domestic resources.
Notably, the Stibnite Gold Project is among the initial projects identified for expedited permitting. This project represents a significant step toward enhancing the U.S. capacity to produce and process gold domestically, contributing to national security and economic growth.
For more information on these projects, visit: White House Article on Advancing Critical Mineral Projects »
Expanding the Federal Permitting Dashboard
On May 2, 2025, the administration announced the addition of ten more critical mineral production projects to the Federal Permitting Dashboard. This expansion is part of ongoing efforts to streamline the permitting process and to provide stakeholders with up-to-date information on project statuses.
The inclusion of these projects, which encompass various critical minerals, reflects the administration's commitment to reducing bureaucratic delays and to promoting domestic production capabilities. The dashboard serves as a tool for enhancing interagency coordination and for ensuring efficient decision-making processes.
Explore the updated dashboard here: White House Article on Expanding the Permitting Dashboard »
These strategic initiatives underscore the administration's dedication to securing America's critical mineral supply chains, with a particular focus on enhancing domestic gold production and processing. By reducing reliance on foreign sources and promoting domestic capabilities, the U.S. aims to strengthen its national security and economic resilience.by: Josh Edinger, aiAurum Founder