Despite gold's price slump, strong copper and iron ore prices lifted MINING.COM's ranking of the world's 50 most valuable miners to a new record high of $1.35 trillion.
The MOU provides a framework for the parties to leverage their respective capabilities and interests in the supply and processing of rare earth materials.
The plan, part of a $100 billion industrial policy vision, also called for the use of emergency government powers under the Cold War-era Defense Production Act.