The move would make Norway the group’s 15th member, with Oslo expected to formally sign the initiative on Wednesday. Jacob Helberg, undersecretary for economic affairs at the US State Department, told the US‑based news outlet Semafor that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund and critical mineral reserves made it an important partner. The initiative comes as Western governments seek to diversify supply chains for rare earths, semiconductors and AI infrastructure. Norway’s strategic importance has also grown after new research showed that the Fen rare earth deposit, in southern Norway, may be far larger than previously estimated.