Power Minerals (ASX:PNN) gains diplomatic exposure through U.S. Critical Minerals Dialogue
October 16, 2025Power Minerals (ASX:PNN) has been invited by the Australian Embassy in Washington to brief Ambassador Dr Kevin Rudd on its Gamma Heavy Rare Earths Project in California, marking a welcome profile boost for the emerging explorer amid renewed U.S. Australia critical-minerals engagement.
Highlights
- Australian Embassy request to brief Ambassador Dr Kevin Rudd ahead of the Albanese–Trump summit.
- Gamma Project located in California’s San Bernardino County near the $26 billion Mountain Pass rare-earth mine.
- Potential for heavy rare-earth and uranium mineralisation.
- Power intends to advance exploration and assess U.S. Government support programs.
- Reflects growing diplomatic recognition of Australia’s role in Western supply-chain resilience.
For a junior such as Power Minerals, a call from the Australian Embassy in Washington represents more than a polite formality.
The company has been asked to brief Ambassador Dr Kevin Rudd on its proposed acquisition of the Gamma Heavy Rare Earths Project in California, a development that gives the small-cap exposure to the broader policy discussion around allied supply-chain security.
The project, which Power announced it would acquire earlier this month, sits within mining-friendly San Bernardino County, not far from MP Materials Mountain Pass operation, the United States only producing rare-earth mine.
While Mountain Pass focuses on light rare-earths, Power believes Gamma could complement it with potential heavy rare-earth feedstock if exploration results prove encouraging.
“We welcome the Australian Government’s interest in the Gamma Project. We see potential for Gamma to contribute to the United States’ heavy rare earth element supply chain while deepening Australia–U.S. collaboration on critical minerals,” Managing Director Mena Habib said.
The briefing request comes as critical-minerals cooperation features prominently on the agenda for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump.
For Power, this offers a platform to demonstrate how a modest Australian company can participate in the evolving rare-earth narrative.
The Gamma ground has seen little modern exploration, with no drilling for nearly 50 years.
Historical uranium work identified promising radiometric anomalies, and more recent sampling has revealed encouraging heavy rare-earth values.
The company plans to fast-track on-ground exploration once the acquisition closes, while also exploring potential access to U.S. government funding and expedited permitting schemes designed to accelerate domestic supply.
Both Canberra and Washington have declared rare-earths critical to defence and advanced technology manufacturing.
Australia is even considering a $1.2 billion strategic minerals reserve, potentially in partnership with the U.S.—a signal that the policy environment is supportive for early movers such as Power.
While Power Minerals remains an early-stage participant in the critical-minerals sector, the embassy invitation provides valuable validation and visibility.
The real test will come as fieldwork begins at Gamma and the company seeks to convert diplomatic recognition into tangible exploration progress.
For investors, it’s a reminder that even small-cap explorers can find themselves in the slipstream of big-picture geopolitics.
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