Key points
- AOM Chairman Tom Albanese presented President Donald Trump with a solid gold polymetallic nodule replica at the American Mining Industry Roundtable.
- The roundtable was held at the U.S. Department of State with senior Administration officials and leaders from across the U.S. mining and critical minerals industry.
- Discussion covered reducing reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains, expanding U.S. and allied production and processing, and building a skilled workforce.
- Albanese said both conventional mines and new sources such as deep-sea nodules are needed to close the gap between declining supply and growing demand.
AOM Chairman Tom Albanese presented President Trump with a solid gold nodule celebrating a new golden age of American minerals, joining the nation’s mining leaders to discuss securing critical mineral supplies, expanding American and allied production, and developing the skilled workforce to power a new era of American manufacturing.
AOM Chairman Tom Albanese presented President Donald J. Trump a solid gold polymetallic nodule replica, a gift to the United States, during the American Mining Industry Roundtable at the U.S. Department of State.
American Ocean Minerals’ Chairman Tom Albanese today joined President Donald Trump, senior Administration officials, and leaders from across the U.S. mining and critical minerals industry for a high-level roundtable at the U.S. Department of State focused on strengthening America’s mineral security. During the event, Albanese presented the President with a solid gold nodule celebrating a new golden age of American minerals. Watch the full event
The discussion comes at a consequential moment for U.S. critical minerals policy, as the Administration works to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains and expand secure sources of the minerals essential to America’s defense, energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The roundtable brought together industry and government leaders to discuss the steps needed to build more secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains, including expanding U.S. and allied production and processing capabilities and developing the skilled workforce required to support the sector.
Following the discussion, Albanese welcomed the Administration’s focus on strengthening America’s critical minerals capabilities:
“I commend the President for taking meaningful steps to strengthen secure and resilient critical minerals supply chains. With the growing pace of electrification, AI and data centers and the rapid growth of other new technologies, it is crucial that we close the gap between existing, declining metal supply and growing demand. We will need investments in both conventional mines and new sources such as deep-sea nodules, and I’m confident we can do so in a responsible social and environmental manner with the technologies now available. Expanding responsible deep-sea mineral collection and processing in the United States and with trusted partners is essential to our nation’s energy security, economic competitiveness and workforce development. I look forward to working to advance solutions that strengthen America’s critical minerals capabilities.”
- AOM Chairman Tom Albanese
For AOM, the discussion underscores the opportunity for deep-sea polymetallic nodules to become an important part of a diversified American mineral strategy.
Polymetallic nodules contain multiple minerals critical to U.S. economic and national security, including nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, as well as rare earth elements. AOM is advancing a U.S.-focused platform designed to responsibly collect these resources and support their processing in the United States, helping establish a new domestic source of materials needed for defense, energy, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
As Washington accelerates its focus on critical minerals, AOM believes the United States has an opportunity to pair its traditional mining strengths with new sources, technologies and partnerships that can expand supply while maintaining high standards of environmental responsibility.
We look forward to working with industry and our partners to build a secure, resilient critical minerals supply chain for America and its allies, while developing the skilled workforce that will power a new era of American manufacturing. We are proud to have Mike Rowe as Special Advisor and Founding Investor, championing the trades and the next generation of American workers.
