MI2 Member Century Aluminum Joins President Trump's American Mining Roundtable

Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary was among industry and education leaders discussing workforce development and the future of America's mine-to-metal supply chain — a conversation that mirrors MI2's own mission here in Kentucky.

Last Friday, President Trump convened a roundtable on American mining at the White House, bringing together mining executives, cabinet officials, and education leaders to discuss strengthening the nation's critical minerals and metals supply chain. The administration used the occasion to announce more than $2 billion in mining and mining-related investments, including $180 million directed toward the nation's mining schools — funding aimed at doubling the number of graduates earning credentials in mining, minerals, and related supply chain fields.

Jesse Gary, President and CEO of MI2 Executive Level member company Century Aluminum, was seated at that table, helping represent the metals industry in the discussion. He joined President Trump, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and leaders from across industry and academia for a discussion centered on innovation, workforce development, and the future of American manufacturing.

Century Aluminum captured the moment well in its own recap of the day:

"We're reminded again of what's possible when leaders across government, industry and education come together around a shared goal: strengthening America's mine-to-metal supply chain. Century Aluminum applauds President Trump's more than $80 million investment in geology, mining and metallurgy education — a meaningful step toward building the talent, innovation and technical expertise needed to revitalize critical minerals and metals here in the United States."

That sentiment is one MI2 knows well. It's the same premise we operate on every day: that the biggest challenges facing the U.S. metals manufacturing supply chain — from workforce shortages to supply chain resilience — get solved when industry, educators, and government break through silos and build solutions together. Kentucky's $34 billion metals footprint, and the 96,000 jobs it supports, didn't happen by accident. It's the product of exactly the kind of collaboration on display at Friday's roundtable, just scaled to the national level.

We are so excited, and we congratulate our members Jesse Gary and the entire Century Aluminum team on representing our industry — and our member network — at the table. MI2 will continue tracking how this federal momentum translates into opportunity for Kentucky's metals manufacturers, and we're encouraged by what a stronger, more secure domestic supply chain could mean for the companies and communities we serve.

Interested in becoming a member of MI2? Visit mi2ky.org to learn more.

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