Power Minerals to brief Trump-Albo critical minerals talks on Gamma rare earths

• Power Minerals to provide briefing on Gamma project before Albanese-Trump meeting on October 20
• Gamma is near Mountain Pass mine in California, previous uranium drilling never assayed for REEs
• Option to acquire project secured this month, company to pursue exploration and US fast-track programs

Special Report: Power Minerals’ Gamma heavy rare earths project in California is poised to play its part in the growing recognition of Australia’s role in strengthening critical mineral supply chain security in the US.

The company has been requested by Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd to provide a briefing on the project before the meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on October 20, 2025.

This request is clear recognition of the project’s potential, made all the more exciting given that Power Minerals (ASX:PNN) only secured the option to acquire it earlier this month.

Critical minerals and strategic cooperation will be key topics of discussion during the meeting between the two leaders.

Rare earths are likely to be of great interest given that they are essential for defence and technology, playing key roles in modern military and advanced technological infrastructure while supply remains dominated by China.

US recognition that it needs to establish domestic sources of REEs has led to its advancing critical minerals projects through expedited permitting, dedicated grant programs and equity participation.

These measures aim to speed project development, safeguard supply chains and reinforce the global position of the US and its partners like Australia in the critical minerals sector.

Gamma project

The Gamma project is near the Mountain Pass mine of US$26bn market cap MP Materials – the only operating REE mine in the US – in California’s mining-friendly San Bernardino district.

Like Mountain Pass, Gamma was originally explored for gold before the focus turned to uranium and now REEs.

Mirroring its producing neighbour, Gamma features a distinct uranium zone separate to the rare earth zones.

While previous soil sampling turned up grades of up to 20,257ppm total rare earth oxides, historical drilling that intersected high-grade uranium such as 30.33m at 0.37% U3O8 including 6.25m at 1.3% were never assayed for REEs.

Additionally, previous exploration in the area did not target carbonatite and related rocks, which are significant hosts for REE mineralisation, indicating excellent potential for further discovery in this area.

Once acquisition of Gamma is complete, PNN plans to immediately accelerate further exploration of the project along with pursuing various US government initiatives to fast-track permitting and exploring federal funding programs.

Exploration plans include mapping and early-stage sampling ahead of systematic sampling and geophysical surveys, with a focus on expediting drilling.

This article was developed in collaboration with Power Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.