Following its dominant control of Venezuelan oil, the United States is now moving to secure access to Venezuela’s mineral resources, officials said.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, visiting Caracas on Wednesday, highlighted opportunities for American mining companies in the country’s rich deposits of gold, diamonds, bauxite, and coltan—a vital component in electronics such as mobile phones and laptops.

Burgum, representing President Donald Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, was accompanied by over two dozen executives from US mining firms, signaling “billions of dollars in potential investments and well-paid jobs,” he noted after meeting with interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

This high-level engagement follows the January 3 US-led operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, effectively placing the Trump administration in control of the nation’s natural resources.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Caracas last month to push for increased oil production, reinforcing the expanding US-Venezuela cooperation.

In a sign of restored ties, the US Department of Transportation has cleared American Airlines’ subsidiary, Envoy Air, to operate direct flights between Miami and Venezuelan cities, Caracas and Maracaibo, the first since 2019.

Environmentalists have expressed concern over expanded mining activity in Venezuela’s Orinoco Arc, citing deforestation and river pollution.

Rodriguez has promised reforms to the country’s mining code to attract large-scale foreign investment, a move praised by Trump, who commended her collaboration with US representatives on social media.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA has signed new contracts to supply the US, with more than 80 million barrels shipped since January.

These agreements arrive amid global oil market uncertainties caused by conflict in the Middle East, driving prices to year-high levels.