On August 7, according to CCTV International News, US President Trump will convene executives from some of the world's largest mining companies at the US State Department on August 7 local time, in an effort to take action to 'secure critical mineral supplies for the US and its allies.' Reuters reported that the US urgently needs critical minerals to replenish weapons inventories depleted during the war against Iran. During the more than five-month war with Iran, the US military expended large quantities of precision-guided missiles and air defense interceptors. US defense officials and lawmakers have warned that given existing production capacity constraints, replenishing some stockpiles could take years—although the Trump administration has denied reports of a so-called 'severe shortage of ammunition stockpiles.' According to Pentagon officials and defense companies, supplies of minerals such as rare earths, tungsten, germanium, and scandium are essential for manufacturing precision-guided missiles, fighter jets, armored vehicles, infrared sensors, and other advanced weapons systems. Expected attendees include industry giants such as global mining giant Rio Tinto Group, Australia's BHP, US Freeport-McMoRan, US Mountain Pass Materials, US Rare Earths, US Energy Fuels, and Canada's Metals Company. According to sources, the Trump administration plans to announce multiple deals and memorandums of understanding.
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