By: Reuters

Venezuela's state-owned mining company has signed ​a multimillion-dollar deal to sell as much ‌as 1,000 kg of gold dore bars to commodities trader Trafigura for U.S. markets, Axios ​reported on Wednesday, citing two sources ​familiar with the deal.

The deal requires ⁠Venezuelan mining company Minerven to furnish 650 ​to 1,000 kg of gold dore bars ​to Trafigura, Axios reported, adding that Trafigura will ship the gold to refineries under a separate ​arrangement with the U.S. government.

A ​White House official confirmed the deal in a ‌statement ⁠to Reuters, saying that U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday, helped secure it.

"This historic gold ​deal between ​Trafi and ⁠Venezuela had been in the works at President Trump's direction," ​the official said. "We are helping Venezuela ​restore ⁠their mining sector, which will help American industry get the minerals we need."

The ⁠official ​didn't provide specific details ​of the terms of the agreement.