Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the two countries will work together to develop Venezuela’s mining sector following a meeting in Caracas. Burgum, who leads President Donald Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, met Rodríguez at the presidential palace in the second visit by a U.S. secretary since the U.S. strikes and the seizure of former president Nicolás Maduro in January.

Venezuela has already changed its laws to allow more foreign investment in its previously nationalised oil sector and is now planning similar reforms for mining. While details have not yet been disclosed, Congress leader Jorge Rodríguez said the reforms would allow large foreign companies to mine minerals and rare earth elements.

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves and is also rich in gold, diamonds, and other critical minerals, including rare earth elements used in mobile phones. However, illegal mining has expanded, drawing criticism from environmental groups over deforestation and pollution. Burgum also met representatives from more than two dozen U.S. mining companies, saying they could bring billions of dollars in investment and create thousands of high-paying jobs.