Shares of TMC the Metals Company (TMC 8.29%) are jumping on Thursday, up 8.6% as of 2:46 p.m. ET. The rise comes as the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.35%) and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 0.19%) gained 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively.TMC's stock is getting a boost from a major deal announced this morning between the Pentagon and another mining company.The Trump administration is backing rare earthsLast week, President Trump mused about the possibility of the federal government investing in domestic rare earth mining. The U.S. is ...

Core Viewpoint - The Defense Department is set to become the largest shareholder in MP Materials by purchasing $400 million of its preferred stock, which will enhance the company's processing capabilities and magnet production capacity [1][2][3]. Group 1: Investment Details - The Pentagon's investment will be in a newly created class of preferred shares that can be converted into common stock, along with a warrant for additional common stock [3]. - This investment will represent approximately a 15% stake in MP Materials as of July 9 [3]. Group 2: Company Background - MP Materials operates the only active rare earth mine in the U.S. located in Mountain Pass, California [2]. - The company plans to utilize the funds from the Pentagon's investment to expand its rare earth processing and magnet production capabilities [2]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the Pentagon's investment, shares of MP Materials surged by over 40% in premarket trading [2]. Group 4: Strategic Context - The investment aligns with the Trump administration's strategy to reduce U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals, as indicated by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum [4].