US, ADQ & Orion launch $1.8bn fund for critical minerals
<h3><strong>US, ADQ and Orion launch $1.8bn fund to secure global critical minerals</strong></h3><p>In a major strategic move to bolster mineral supply chains vital for energy transition and advanced manufacturing, the United States has partnered with Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund <strong>ADQ</strong> and <strong>Orion Resource Partners</strong> to establish a <strong>$1.8 billion investment fund</strong>. The initiative, named the <strong>Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC)</strong>, will be led by the <strong>US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)</strong> and could expand to a total of <strong>$5 billion</strong> in investment capacity.</p><p>The fund aims to secure reliable access to <strong>critical minerals</strong> such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements — materials essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, semiconductors, and defence technologies.</p><p>This collaboration represents one of the most ambitious steps under <strong>President Donald Trump’s renewed focus</strong> on reducing dependence on foreign-controlled mineral supplies, particularly from China. The initiative highlights Washington’s growing urgency to ensure stable and ethical sourcing of these vital materials, which form the backbone of global technological advancement.</p><h3><strong>Strategic partnership with ADQ and Orion</strong></h3><p>Each partner — the DFC, ADQ, and Orion — will contribute capital and expertise to identify and develop mineral projects across strategic regions. The consortium will prioritise investments in <strong>operational or near-production assets</strong> rather than early-stage exploration, aiming to accelerate resource availability while reducing long development timelines.</p><p>“Securing critical minerals is a paramount matter of US strategic interest and economic prosperity,” said <strong>Ben Black</strong>, CEO of the DFC. “Orion CMC was created to establish a robust pipeline of secure mineral investments vital to advancing American prosperity. I’m proud of the incredible work by DFC and its partners to safeguard America’s leadership in advanced technologies.”</p><h3><strong>A global minerals strategy</strong></h3><p>The launch follows a week of active <strong>US mineral diplomacy</strong>, including agreements with <strong>Australia</strong> to expand rare earth access and ongoing talks with the <strong>Democratic Republic of Congo</strong>, the world’s largest producer of cobalt and a key source of copper. These moves underline Washington’s intent to diversify supply away from limited global sources and create new pathways for sustainable mining operations.</p><p>For ADQ, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing sovereign wealth funds, this partnership marks another step in expanding its global footprint across <strong>energy, logistics, and industrial sectors</strong>. The fund has recently made notable investments in <strong>Limagrain</strong>, a global seed producer, and <strong>Sotheby’s</strong>, showcasing its strategy to diversify assets while supporting industrial sustainability.</p><h3><strong>Orion’s expanding role</strong></h3><p>Orion, managing approximately <strong>$8 billion</strong> across private equity and commodity trading, has established itself as a key player in critical mineral investment. Earlier this year, the firm formed a <strong>$1.2 billion joint venture with ADQ</strong> focusing on energy and materials — laying the groundwork for this new multilateral partnership.</p><p>The new consortium’s approach of prioritising <strong>near-term producing assets</strong> reflects a pragmatic response to challenges facing Western nations — long permitting processes, capital constraints, and environmental scrutiny — which have often slowed their ability to compete with China’s dominance in mineral processing and supply chains.</p><h3><strong>A step toward resource resilience</strong></h3><p>The <strong>$1.8 billion Orion CMC</strong> fund is designed not just to invest in mining but also to support <strong>responsible and resilient supply chains</strong>. This means ensuring environmentally sustainable operations and fair labour practices while maintaining steady access to resources essential for the <strong>clean energy economy</strong>.</p><p>By aligning strategic investment with geopolitical goals, the partnership between the <strong>US, ADQ, and Orion</strong> signals a new phase of cooperation between Washington and the UAE — blending financial strength with industrial expertise.</p><p>As global demand for lithium, cobalt, and rare earths surges, this initiative is poised to help reshape global mineral trade routes, strengthen US energy independence, and reaffirm America’s technological and economic leadership in a rapidly evolving world.</p>