United States launches $12 billion civilian critical minerals stockpile under Project Vault

Exam-focused facts from the 7 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The United States is creating a $12 billion strategic critical minerals reserve for non-military civilian purposes.
President Trump announced the initiative, named Project Vault, in the Oval Office alongside business executives.
The reserve will be funded by a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and $2 billion in private-sector financing.
The stockpile targets minerals such as cobalt, graphite, silicon, copper, nickel, titanium and lithium used in electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors and smartphones.
In 2024 the U.S. was entirely import-reliant for 12 critical minerals and imported 50% or more of 29 others, according to the White House.
The reserve aims to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese rare earths and strengthen American leverage in trade negotiations.