The Energy Department announced plans on Tuesday to take a stake in Lithium Americas, framing the decision to invest in the private mining company as a move to reduce dependence on foreign adversaries for critical minerals. 

The deal provides the government with 5% equity ownership in Lithium Americas, in addition to a 5% stake in the private company’s Thacker Pass lithium project joint venture with General Motors. Nevada‘s Thacker Pass mine contains one of the largest lithium deposits in the United States and is viewed by the Trump administration as critical to loosening China’s grip on the mineral, which is a key component of energy systems and batteries used for electric vehicles.