https://newsletter.mw.creamermedia.com

Orion launches $1.8bn critical minerals consortium

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and Orion CMC co-founder Frank Fannon

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and Orion CMC co-founder Frank Fannon

23rd October 2025

By: Mariaan Webb

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Investment firm Orion Resource Partners on Thursday launched the Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC), a new platform aimed at strengthening US economic competitiveness and national security through secure and responsible critical minerals supply chains.

The consortium, created in partnership with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investment fund ADQ, launches with $1.8-billion in committed capital and a target of $5-billion. 

The DFC’s initial commitment has been matched by Orion and ADQ.

Orion CMC will invest in and develop near-term producing critical mineral assets, prioritising projects that can quickly meet US and allied nations’ demand. The consortium will also manage offtake, support domestic processing and deploy cost-effective mineral technologies.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and Orion CMC co-founder Frank Fannon said the US had long recognised the need for alternative critical mineral supply chains. “However, America has lacked a private sector champion that understands niche metals and commodities, that has emerging markets experience, and a successful track record of building and operating complex mining operations. Orion CMC is well-positioned to be that champion,” he said.

Orion founder and CEO Oskar Lewnowski said the consortium married some of the best operators in the industry with the expertise needed to build a diversified portfolio of critical minerals assets across multiple jurisdictions. "We are delighted to have the backing of the DFC and look forward to working with our partners to deliver on the opportunity ahead of us."

The creation of Orion CMC follows the launch of Orion Abu Dhabi, a joint venture with ADQ announced earlier this year, furthering Orion’s strategy to strengthen global critical minerals supply chains through strategic partnerships.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Alcohol Breathalysers
Alcohol Breathalysers

Supplier & Distributor of the Widest Range of Accurate & Easy-to-Use Alcohol Breathalysers

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD

For over 30 years, Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD has been designing, manufacturing, supplying and maintaining specialist...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.148 0.226s - 142pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now