GZERO North

Digging deep: US military buys into Canadian mining

President Joe Biden hosts a virtual roundtable on securing critical minerals at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2022.
President Joe Biden hosts a virtual roundtable on securing critical minerals at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2022.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The US military is sinking nearly $15 million into the Canadian mining sector through the Defense Production Act in what is believed to be the first time in the DPA’s 74-year history that the US has used such funds outside the country.

Why? Both Canada and the US have gone all-in on critical minerals in recent years amid growing tensions and anxiety over China and its control of strategic supply chains.

The joint investment with the Canadian government, part of the US-Canadian Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals, covers projects for critical minerals essential to key industries including energy, communications, and defense. These include copper, gold, graphite, and cobalt in Quebec and the Northwest Territories.

For its part, China is watching closely – while still investing its own capital into the Canadian mining sector.

More For You

Colombian left-wing presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda campaigns in the southern town of Pitalito, Colombia, on April 11, 2026.
Santiago Chimbaco/LongVisual via ZUMA Press Wire

On Sunday, Colombians will have their say on their first left-wing leader, as they head to the polls to vote in the first round of the presidential election.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026.
ILIA YEFIMOVICH/Pool via REUTERS

The United States and Iran seem to be moving closer to a deal to end the war, which could hurt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection hopes.