STORY: :: FileShares of the company Critical Metals more than doubled Monday morning after Reuters reported the U.S. government was in talks to buy a stake in the miner.It would represent the latest in Washington's deal-making push to secure the supply of rare earths.An agreement would give the U.S. government a direct interest in the largest rare earths project in Greenland, a strategically important and mineral-rich Arctic territory that President Donald Trump has previously suggested the U.S. should take over.One analyst told Reuters that such a deal quote, “would mark a significant step toward building a diversified 'mine-to-magnet' supply chain independent of China.”The U.S. has been pushing to secure critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, taking stakes in producers such as Lithium Americas and MP Materials.Critical Metals applied earlier this year for a $50 million U.S. grant, which Washington has since discussed converting into an equity stake, according to the Reuters report, which cites four sources.If finalized, that conversion would equal roughly an 8% stake, though sources said talks remain preliminary.

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