Perpetua Resources has received a letter of interest from the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) for a loan worth up to $1.8 billion to develop an antimony and gold mine in northern Idaho, part of Washington's evolving strategy to offset China's critical minerals sector dominance. Perpetua said EXIM, which acts as the U.S. government's export credit agency, has told the company that it qualifies for two loan programs designed to support those that compete with China.