China's dominance in mineral processing — not mining — is emerging as the defining fault line in the global race for critical resources such as copper. The U.S. imports roughly 60% of the copper it consumes — a reliance drawing fresh scrutiny as demand accelerates across electrification, AI infrastructure, and defense.Track copper price via CPER ETF here.In an exclusive email interview with Benzinga, John Shively, CEO of Pebble Mine, Alaska (the largest untapped copper mine in the U.S.) framed the issue as ...

Core Insights - The U.S. Department of Energy plans to acquire a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas Corp. and an additional 5% stake in the Thacker Pass lithium project, indicating a significant government interest in the lithium supply chain [2][3] - Lithium Americas shares surged over 35% following the announcement of the U.S. government's investment, reflecting strong market reaction to the news [1] - Thacker Pass is projected to be one of North America's largest lithium sources, with operations expected to commence in late 2027 [2] Company Overview - Lithium Americas Corp. is involved in the development of the Thacker Pass lithium mine, which is located in northern Nevada and is expected to play a crucial role in the U.S. lithium supply chain [1][2] - The company is publicly traded on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE, but it is incorporated and domiciled in Canada [3] Industry Context - The investment by the U.S. government represents a strategic move to secure direct ownership in critical mineral supply chains, particularly for lithium, which is essential for electric vehicle batteries and other technologies [3] - General Motors holds a minority stake in the Thacker Pass project, highlighting the involvement of major automotive players in the lithium supply chain [2]