Trump signs executive order to boost US minerals output, White House says

March 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to boost domestic production of lithium and other critical minerals in part by using the Defense Production Act to finance mining projects. The order also directs federal agencies to create a list of U.S. mining projects that can be quickly approved as well as which federal lands, including those controlled by the Pentagon, could be used for minerals processing. The order also directs agencies to help boost U.S. output of copper and gold, neither of which are considered critical minerals by the U.S. Geological Survey. (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw and Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Chris Reese) ((ernest.scheyder@thomsonreuters.com; X: @ErnestScheyder; +1-469-691-7667; Reuters Messaging: ernest.scheyder.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))