规模惊人！美国防部拟斥资10亿美元囤积关键矿产以强化战略储备

Core Insights - The U.S. Department of Defense plans to invest up to $1 billion in critical minerals to enhance metal supply security and ensure the availability of raw materials for defense systems and advanced technologies [1][2] - This initiative represents one of the largest expansions of the U.S. strategic material reserves in years, with a focus on securing stable supplies of cobalt, antimony, tantalum, and scandium [1][2] Group 1: Investment Details - Up to $500 million will be allocated for cobalt, $245 million for antimony from U.S. Antimony Corporation, $100 million for tantalum, and approximately $45 million for scandium from Rio Tinto and APL Engineered Materials [2] - The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) manages a total asset value of $1.3 billion in strategic commodities, which are only utilized during wartime or under presidential orders [2] Group 2: Market Context - Prices for various minerals have surged recently, with germanium prices skyrocketing and antimony trioxide prices nearly doubling year-on-year [3] - The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" allocates $7.5 billion for critical mineral projects, including $2 billion to strengthen defense reserves by early 2027 [3] Group 3: Supply Chain and Production - DLA is also evaluating the procurement of rare earth elements, tungsten, bismuth, and indium, with intentions to purchase 222 tons of indium ingots, nearly equivalent to the total U.S. refined indium consumption for 2024 [4] - U.S. Antimony Corporation sources materials from Canada, Mexico, Australia, Chad, Bolivia, and Peru, with projected revenues of $15 million in 2024 [3]