President Trump announced that the U.S. will take a 10% stake in Canadian minerals explorer Trilogy Metals and approved a permit for a mining road in northwest Alaska.

The road provides access to the Ambler Mining District, rich in copper, cobalt, and gold—critical minerals for technology and national defense—which had been blocked under President Biden over environmental and tribal concerns.

The U.S. investment of $35.6 million includes warrants to buy an additional 7.5% of Trilogy Metals, aiming to secure a domestic supply of critical minerals.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the move supports America’s competitiveness in the AI and technology sectors against China, Axios has reported.

Trilogy Metals CEO Tony Giardini called the partnership a milestone for U.S. energy, technology, and national security priorities, continuing a Trump-era trend of government stakes in strategic companies.