Ivanhoe Electric Executive Chairman Robert Friedland Joins U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House for Minerals Stockpile Announcement
Rhea-AI Summary
Ivanhoe Electric (NYSE American: IE) Executive Chairman Robert Friedland joined President Donald J. Trump on Feb 2, 2026 in the Oval Office for the launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion U.S. strategic minerals stockpile initiative. Project Vault combines $1.67 billion private capital with a $10 billion U.S. Export-Import Bank loan facility.
Ivanhoe Electric is advancing the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Casa Grande, Arizona, targeting 99.99% copper cathode production by late 2028, with a 23-year mine life and a 100% heap leach process. The company received an $825 million Export-Import Bank letter of interest on April 15, 2025 and the full Ex-Im application is in process.
Positive
- Project Vault announced as a $12 billion strategic minerals initiative
- Project financing structure includes $1.67 billion private capital plus a $10 billion Ex-Im loan facility
- Ivanhoe advancing Santa Cruz to produce 99.99% copper cathode by late 2028
- Ivanhoe received $825 million Ex-Im letter of interest on April 15, 2025
- Santa Cruz designed for a 23-year mine life using 100% heap leach
Negative
- Full U.S. Export-Import Bank funding application remains in process, creating financing uncertainty
- Advanced financing discussions are ongoing, so capital timing and terms are unresolved
- Targeted production by late 2028 implies multi-year construction and permitting exposure
Market Reaction
Following this news, IE has declined 4.79%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 20 alerts so far, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $18.89. This price movement has removed approximately $145M from the company's valuation.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Silver for real-time data.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
IE gained 7.84% with copper peers also strong: TGB +5.04%, ERO +4.27%, HBM +2.03%, FCX +1.47%. Momentum data show 7 metals peers up (median ~6.9%), indicating a sector-wide move that amplifies company-specific visibility from the White House event.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 27 | Exploration JV | Positive | +2.2% | SQM-funded three-year exploration collaboration across 2,002 km² in Chile. |
| Dec 15 | Debt financing | Positive | +1.1% | $200 million bridge facility closed to support Santa Cruz development. |
| Nov 19 | Land acquisition | Positive | +7.1% | Final $39.3 million land payment clears way for Santa Cruz construction. |
| Nov 13 | Debt approval | Positive | -3.4% | Credit approvals for $200 million facility and EXIM LOI highlight funding progress. |
| Oct 27 | Equity offering | Negative | -4.0% | Underwriters fully exercise option, lifting equity proceeds to $172.5 million. |
Shares often reacted positively to Santa Cruz de-risking (land acquisition, financing), while equity offerings and some financing announcements saw short-term pressure.
Over the last few months, Ivanhoe Electric focused on financing and de‑risking the Santa Cruz Copper Project. It secured a $200 million bridge facility and completed a $172.5 million equity offering, alongside accelerating the final $39.3 million land payment. Exploration partnerships, such as the SQM agreement over 2,002 km² in Chile, broadened its copper pipeline. Today’s White House-linked announcement reinforces the strategic role of Santa Cruz, consistent with prior steps to position it as a key long‑life U.S. copper asset.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Ivanhoe Electric’s role in Project Vault, a $12 billion U.S. strategic minerals stockpile initiative that includes a $10 billion EXIM loan and $1.67 billion in private capital. It reinforces the Santa Cruz Copper Project’s plan for 99.99% pure cathode by late 2028 over a 23‑year mine life, supported by an $825 million EXIM Letter of Interest. Investors may watch for definitive EXIM financing, permitting milestones, and construction progress at Santa Cruz.
Key Terms
copper cathode technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - February 3, 2026) - Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE American: IE) (TSX: IE) ("Ivanhoe Electric") Executive Chairman Robert Friedland joined President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office for the launch of a
The initiative, known as Project Vault, is set to combine
Project Vault was formally unveiled on February 2, 2026, at a White House Oval Office press conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by President Trump (refer to U.S. Export-Import Bank's February 2, 2026 news release). Representatives from both the mining and manufacturing sectors included Ivanhoe Electric's Founder and Executive Chairman, Robert Friedland, and General Motors Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Mary Barra.
Those in attendance included Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, David J. Copley, Senior Director at the National Security Council and Special Assistant to the President, and additional senior representatives from both the House and Senate.
Also in attendance was John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the United States government's official export credit agency. On April 15, 2025, Ivanhoe Electric received a U.S. Export-Import Bank Letter of Interest for
Ivanhoe Electric President and Chief Executive Officer Taylor Melvin commented:
"It was an honor to have our company represented during today's announcement in the Oval Office of the White House. Project Vault is a major step forward in advancing a resilient, domestic supply of critical minerals for the United States. Ivanhoe Electric is proud to be developing a significant contributor to U.S. copper supply at our modern Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona."
Watch the video of Ivanhoe Electric's Founder and Executive Chairman during the Project Vault press conference inside the Oval Office at the White House:
https://vimeo.com/1161496663/3e77e212d9
Link to the full press conference:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-participates-in-signing-time-feb-2-2026/
Ivanhoe Electric is working to strengthen U.S. mineral supply chain security through its domestic mining activities while also discovering new sources of critical minerals for U.S. industries at home and abroad. Ivanhoe Electric is developing the Santa Cruz Copper Project as a high-quality, underground mining operation in Casa Grande, Arizona. The Project is designed to produce
About Ivanhoe Electric
We are a United States domiciled minerals exploration company with a focus on developing mines from mineral deposits principally located in the United States. We seek to support American supply chain independence by finding and delivering copper and other critical metals vital to advanced manufacturing, infrastructure development, technology, and national security. We use our powerful Typhoon™ geophysical surveying system, together with advanced data analytics provided by our
Website: www.ivanhoeelectric.com
Contact Information
Mike Patterson
Vice President, Investor Relations and Business Development
Email: mike@ivnelectric.com
Phone: 1-480-601-7878
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Ivanhoe Electric's Executive Chairman Robert Friedland: @robert_ivanhoe
Ivanhoe Electric: @ivanhoeelectric
Ivanhoe Electric's investor relations website located at www.ivanhoeelectric.com should be considered Ivanhoe Electric's recognized distribution channel for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation FD.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Ivanhoe Electric, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", "target", "project" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect Ivanhoe Electric's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this news release.
Such statements in this news release include, without limitation statements regarding: the funding of Project Vault and its ability to create supply chain security for U.S. private industry, the construction and development of the Santa Cruz Copper Project, and U.S. Export-Import Bank's ("EXIM") funding of
Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including changes in the prices of copper or other metals Ivanhoe Electric is exploring for; the results of exploration and drilling activities and/or the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations; the final assessment of exploration results and information that is preliminary; the significant risk and hazards associated with any future mining operations, extensive regulation by the U.S. government as well as local governments; changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with Ivanhoe Electric to perform as agreed; and the impact of political, economic and other uncertainties associated with operating in foreign countries, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economy. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and risk factors described in Ivanhoe Electric's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed and other disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Ivanhoe Electric cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable securities laws, Ivanhoe Electric does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, and Ivanhoe Electric expressly disclaims any requirement to do so.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282572
FAQ
What is Project Vault and how is Ivanhoe Electric (IE) involved?
What financing has Ivanhoe Electric (IE) secured for the Santa Cruz Copper Project?
When will Ivanhoe Electric (IE) begin producing refined copper cathode at Santa Cruz?
How does Project Vault’s capital structure affect Ivanhoe Electric (IE)?
Where is the Santa Cruz Copper Project located and what is its planned scale?
