St George Mining has appointed a top Washington DC government relations firm to deepen its engagement with US agencies, advancing its Araxá rare earths project amid growing US efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains in the Western Hemisphere.
- Appointment of Ervin Graves Strategy Group to enhance US government engagement
- Araxá Project hosts world-class rare earths and niobium resources in Brazil
- US Government escalates funding and partnerships for critical minerals supply
- Strategic alignment with US National Security Strategy on Western Hemisphere resources
- Potential for expedited project development supported by infrastructure and government cooperation
Strategic Appointment to Strengthen US Ties
St George Mining Limited has taken a decisive step to bolster its presence in the US critical minerals landscape by appointing Ervin Graves Strategy Group, a leading Washington DC government relations advisory firm. This move comes as the US government, under the Trump Administration, intensifies efforts to secure reliable supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals within the Western Hemisphere.
Ervin Graves brings a wealth of experience, including connections at the highest levels of US government, and a proven track record in navigating public-private partnerships. Their mandate is to advance St George’s engagement with US agencies and private enterprises, potentially unlocking government funding and commercial collaborations to support the development of the Araxá Project.
Araxá Project, A Rare Earths and Niobium Powerhouse
Located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, the Araxá Project is 100% owned by St George and boasts a world-class mineral resource estimate. With 40.6 million tonnes at 4.13% total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 41.2 million tonnes at 0.68% niobium pentoxide, Araxá stands as the largest and highest-grade carbonatite-hosted rare earth deposit in South America and the second highest grade globally behind the US’s Mountain Pass mine.
The project benefits from favourable logistics, including surface-level high-grade mineralisation suitable for low-cost open-pit mining, established infrastructure, and a skilled local workforce. These factors, combined with government support from both Brazilian and US sides, position Araxá as a potential near-term contributor to critical mineral supply chains.
US Policy and Funding Momentum
The Trump Administration’s recent National Security Strategy emphasises expanding US interests in the Western Hemisphere’s strategic resources, with a focus on critical minerals. This includes identifying investment opportunities and leveraging multiple government financing programs across departments such as State, War, and Energy.
Recent US government initiatives underscore this commitment, including a US$1.6 billion funding package for USA Rare Earth, with the government taking a 10% equity stake, and a US$465 million loan to support the development of a rare earths mine in Brazil. St George’s Araxá Project aligns closely with these policy directions, enhancing its prospects for government-backed development support.
Building on Strategic Alliances
St George has already established a downstream strategic alliance with REalloys Inc, a US-based rare earths company with an integrated mine-to-magnet supply chain. This partnership complements the company’s efforts to integrate Araxá’s output into US supply chains, potentially serving government and commercial customers alike.
Executive Chairman John Prineas highlighted the project’s strategic fit with US policy and the value Ervin Graves brings in navigating the complex government landscape. He also noted ongoing drilling results that suggest the potential for a significant resource upgrade, reinforcing Araxá’s standing among global rare earths projects.
Bottom Line?
As US policy sharpens focus on Western Hemisphere critical minerals, St George’s Araxá Project is poised at a pivotal juncture to capitalise on emerging funding and partnership opportunities.
Questions in the middle?
- How soon can St George secure US government funding or formal partnerships for Araxá?
- What impact will ongoing drilling results have on the project’s resource size and grade?
- How will geopolitical dynamics between the US and Brazil influence project development timelines?