JP Morgan deepens critical minerals push

JP Morgan has appointed Andrew Frame to lead the company's critical minerals efforts as part of its $1.5 trillion initiative aimed at investing in industries vital to US national security. Frame's mandate will focus on addressing bottlenecks in the value chain for an industry crucial to advanced manufacturing, energy, and defense.

JP Morgan's Security and Resiliency Initiative, launched last year, spans four sectors, with critical minerals falling under supply chain and advanced manufacturing. The bank has also allocated $10 billion for direct equity investments and has already deployed over $200 billion in the first year. This move comes amid private and federal capital injections into the sector, with the US government committing $10.8 billion in investments, including $5.1 billion in private capital, to 14 critical minerals companies.

Notable recent investments include Hertha Metals' $133.65 million Series A round, partially led by the Pentagon, which plans to produce high-purity iron for F-35 fighter jets and missile guidance systems. The US government also holds equity stakes in critical minerals companies such as MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, and Lithium Americas.

In September, Glencore and Mercuria joined VaultCo, a public-private partnership aimed at ensuring the US industrial base has access to critical minerals needed for everyday American products and global leadership.