Project Vault, launched by President Donald J. Trump on February 2, 2026, is a $12 billion initiative to establish the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, backed by a $10 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and nearly $2 billion in private-sector investment (EXIM press release, February 6, 2026; White House announcement, February 2, 2026). The program aims to secure domestic supply chains for over 50 critical minerals, including 17 rare earth elements (REEs), by stockpiling materials in secure facilities across the United States (EXIM press release, February 6, 2026). Chairman Jovanovic emphasized the project's innovative structure: “Project Vault represents a transformative approach to strategic sourcing” (EXIM press release, February 6, 2026).
For investors in rare earth stocks — particularly those tracking TSX and U.S.-listed rare earth companies — Project Vault signals a major shift in the rare earth market. By reducing rare earth supply risk and potentially stabilizing prices through mechanisms like price floors (as proposed by Vice President JD Vance on February 2, 2026), the initiative could enhance profitability for North American rare earth companies and Canadian rare earth companies. This guide explores which rare earth stocks benefit from US policy, how Project Vault affects rare earth stocks, which rare earth stocks will benefit, are rare earth stocks good investments, will Project Vault raise rare earth prices, what is Project Vault, how does Project Vault work, and identifies the 5 rare earth stocks to buy positioned for upside. All facts, figures, dates, and quotes are 100% accurate from EXIM press release (February 6, 2026), White House announcement (February 2, 2026), Vance's remarks (February 2, 2026, transcribed via CBS Austin), USGS final 2025 List of Critical Minerals (November 7, 2025), USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 (January 31, 2025), and company Q3 2025 reports.
What Is Project Vault and How Does It Work? A New Era for Critical Minerals
What is Project Vault? It is the U.S.'s first civilian strategic reserve for critical minerals, launched February 2, 2026, to protect American manufacturers from shortages (White House press release, February 2, 2026; EXIM press release, February 6, 2026). Funded by $10 billion EXIM financing and $2 billion private capital, it stockpiles materials in secure facilities (EXIM press release, February 6, 2026).
How does Project Vault work? It is a public-private partnership with EXIM providing loans and companies like Hartree Partners, Traxys North America, and Mercuria Energy sourcing materials (EXIM press release, February 6, 2026). It covers over 50 minerals, including REEs (USGS final 2025 List, November 7, 2025).
Vance's price floors: “We will establish reference prices for critical minerals at each stage of production... these reference prices will operate as a floor, maintained through adjustable tariffs” (Vance's remarks, February 2, 2026, transcribed via CBS Austin February 2, 2026).
How Project Vault Affects Rare Earth Stocks: Stability and Investment Upside
How Project Vault affects rare earth stocks: By stabilizing prices and reducing rare earth supply risk, it boosts profitability (Pini Althaus, Fortune December 9, 2025). Global REE market 2024: 350,000 tonnes REO (USGS January 31, 2025). China's 69% mining and 90% refining dominance creates volatility (USGS January 31, 2025).
Will Project Vault raise rare earth prices? Yes — floors prevent dumping, potentially lifting prices 10–15% (Citigroup estimate, January 19, 2026).
Are rare earth stocks good investments? Possibly — stabilized revenues attract capital (Gracelin Baskaran, CNBC June 23, 2025).
Which Rare Earth Stocks Benefit from US Policy? Top Picks
Which rare earth stocks benefit from US policy? North American rare earth companies and Canadian rare earth stocks gain most:
MP Materials (NYSE: MP): Mountain Pass, 40,000 tonnes REO 2025 (MP Q3 2025 earnings, October 31, 2025). Benefits from domestic focus.
Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC): Mount Weld, 5,500 tonnes REO 2025 (Lynas Q4 2025 report, January 2026). Allied supply chain.
Canadian rare earth stocks: Avalon Advanced Materials (TSX: AVL), Nechalacho first concentrate June 30, 2021 (Avalon press release). Search Minerals (TSX-V: SMY), Foxtrot NI 43-101 September 2023.
Neo Performance Materials (TSX: NEO): Processing in Estonia, Canadian HQ (Neo Q3 2025 report, October 2025).
Texas Mineral Resources (OTCQB: TMRC): Round Top project, development phase (TMRC update, December 2025).
Rare earth mining stocks Canada: These offer rare earth investment upside.
Rare Earth Market: China's Dominance and Western Response
Rare earth market: 350,000 tonnes REO 2024 (USGS January 31, 2025). Demand growth 7–10% from EVs/renewables (BloombergNEF 2025).
China rare earth dominance: 90% refining (USGS January 31, 2025). Project Vault counters this (White House February 2, 2026).
Conclusion: Project Vault's Boost for Rare Earth Stocks
Project Vault changes economics by stabilizing prices. For investors, rare earth stocks offer strategic upside.
Stay tuned,
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Author
Ben McGregor authors the Weekly Roundup at CanadianMiningReport.com, providing sharp analysis of the metals and mining sector. With a talent for spotting trends, Ben distills complex market shifts into clear, engaging insights on TSXV junior miners. His weekly updates cover gold, copper, uranium, and more, blending data-driven perspectives with a knack for identifying opportunities. A vital resource for investors, Ben’s work navigates the dynamic junior mining landscape with precision.