Critical Minerals

The U.S. Army conditionally selected REalloys for exclusive negotiations on an Enhanced Use Lease to develop privately financed heavy rare-earth processing facilities at Tooele Army Depot. The proposed project targets development as early as 2027 and initial operating capability by 2028, but remains subject to definitive agreements and environmental and regulatory reviews.

The Department of Commerce says the ITA Advocacy Center supported 216 signed overseas commercial deals worth more than $383 billion since January 20, 2025, including $322.6 billion in U.S. export content and an estimated 1.3 million jobs. Its pipeline of more than 1,540 active cases represents over $1.7 trillion in project value, but these are commercial opportunities—not federal procurement awards or open U.S. solicitations.

The Marine Minerals Administration has issued the final leasing notice for Lease Sale PACM-1, offering two Outer Continental Shelf mineral lease areas offshore American Samoa, with an auction scheduled for November 19, 2026. A lease would permit preliminary activities such as mapping only; physical exploration, testing, and harvesting would require additional regulatory review.

The U.S. Department of Energy emphasizes integrated supply chains for critical minerals, moving beyond just extraction. This shift indicates procurement opportunities for contractors in processing and manufacturing sectors, fostering domestic resilience in supply chains.

EXIM's Chairman John Jovanovic engaged with Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth to discuss export financing and supply chain resilience. While no new contracts were announced, the meeting highlighted potential resources for U.S. manufacturers, especially regarding access to critical minerals vital for defense production.

Krait Critical Minerals appointed Dr. Thomas O’Rourke as Strategic Advisor to enhance its antimony projects in Washington State. This move aligns with U.S. critical minerals and defense priorities, but no government contracts or funding commitments are involved, signaling potential future partnerships rather than immediate procurement opportunities.

The Aerospace Industries Association reports significant risks for defense firms as the January 2027 DFARS deadline for critical minerals approaches. Suppliers face delays and capacity shortfalls that could heighten costs and disrupt production. Companies must act quickly to mitigate these supply chain vulnerabilities.

Six U.S. senators have urged defense and commerce leaders to enhance U.S. silicon carbide production amid rising competition with China. This request highlights potential procurement support measures, emphasizing the need for strengthened domestic supply chains in critical minerals and advanced technologies.

Seven bipartisan Congress members introduced the National Critical Minerals Council Act to coordinate research and investment in critical minerals. If enacted, the legislation could drive demand in mining and related sectors. No funding or timeline has been established, but opportunities may arise for contractors in these fields.

OD6 Metals, an Australian company, has secured membership in the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium, enhancing its access to federal funding for critical mineral projects. This aligns with federal efforts to boost domestic production of fluorspar, a mineral vital for defense applications, suggesting increased procurement opportunities ahead.

Kazakhstan is enhancing its strategic partnership with the U.S., focusing on infrastructure, energy, and technology cooperation. With the country being the leading uranium producer, this expanded collaboration presents significant procurement opportunities for U.S. contractors in the uranium supply chain and digital sectors.

The US and Italy have signed an MOU to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, crucial for industrial needs and supply chain resilience. This partnership may open new procurement opportunities for contractors specializing in materials processing and mining.

USA Rare Earth has finalized its acquisition of the Serra Verde mine, backed by $1.5 billion in U.S. government support. This move comes just ahead of Brazil's new law enhancing scrutiny over foreign investments in critical minerals, which could reshape future procurement strategies for such resources.

On September 17, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys signed a pivotal agreement to enhance cooperation on critical minerals for defense. This initiative promises new procurement opportunities in sourcing essential materials to support advanced technology, strengthening resilience in defense supply chains.

The BRICS nations are deepening cooperation on critical minerals, emphasizing supply chain resilience. This shift presents unique procurement opportunities, particularly for firms engaged in extraction and technology development that align with geopolitical trends.

On September 8, 2026, the U.S. and Colombia signed agreements to enhance collaboration on critical minerals and nuclear energy. This cooperation aims to secure critical supply chains and open procurement opportunities for contractors involved in these sectors.

In a move to bolster the defense industrial base, the Pentagon announced a $25 million investment aimed at enhancing critical mineral supply chains and manufacturing capabilities highlighted during the DIBX 2026 event in Philadelphia. Significant contracts awarded underscore opportunities for contractors in critical minerals and missile systems sectors.

Vast Resources has joined the Defense Industrial Base Consortium and the Cornerstone Consortium, enhancing its access to critical mineral supply chains. This collaboration will allow the company to engage with U.S. defense stakeholders and explore procurement opportunities under the Other Transaction Authority framework.

The U.S. Department of Energy is investing $500 million to strengthen the domestic battery supply chain, targeting critical areas like lithium and cobalt processing. This funding aims to reduce reliance on foreign sources and foster partnerships in battery manufacturing and recycling, ultimately bolstering both economic and national security.

The Marine Minerals Administration has begun a leasing process for critical minerals offshore the CNMI. This initiative aims to enhance U.S. energy security and may provide contractors with new opportunities in minerals extraction and environmental consulting.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is backing critical mineral projects with $58 million in loans. This government funding, aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience, targets production in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and California, opening doors for contractors in mining and processing sectors.

The US Army is developing a prototype facility in Stibnite, Idaho, to process antimony sulfide, shifting away from reliance on Chinese imports. This initiative aligns with the Army's broader strategy to fortify U.S. supply chains for ammunition components, signaling upcoming procurement opportunities in critical mineral processing and munitions production.

The Department of Defense has announced a $1.4 billion conditional loan to Sila Nanotechnologies for battery manufacturing. This investment aims to enhance domestic supply chains for critical minerals and technology, indicating significant procurement opportunities for the defense sector.

The Defense Logistics Agency has canceled its $300 million tender for lithium carbonate, signaling potential supply chain vulnerabilities. This decision poses risks for contractors reliant on critical mineral supplies essential for defense technologies.

The Department of Defense has established stricter procurement rules for critical minerals, aiming to reduce reliance on adversarial nations for materials essential for defense manufacturing. Contractors will need to adapt to new sourcing requirements and enhance their supply chain transparency efforts.

Congress has passed pivotal amendments to the 2026 NDAA boosting DoD financial accountability and mining engineering. The measures will increase funding for mining programs and impose stricter audit requirements, indicating shifting priorities in defense procurement and workforce development.

The U.S. high purity magnesium oxide market is projected to grow significantly, driven by semiconductor industry demands. With current domestic production meeting only a fraction of demand, federal agencies may encourage investments in local processing capabilities, opening new procurement opportunities.

The National Science Foundation has granted the University of Alaska Fairbanks $15 million to launch a Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine initiative. The project aims to enhance domestic critical mineral extraction and processing, fostering economic development and national security interests.

The U.S. Department of State has launched the Economic Diplomacy Action Group to enhance U.S. economic diplomacy. This initiative emphasizes American leadership in artificial intelligence and critical minerals, creating potential contracting opportunities for companies in these sectors.

The Marine Minerals Administration has proposed an offshore mineral lease sale off American Samoa. The initiative aims to bolster the domestic supply of critical minerals while ensuring local employment and economic benefits for Samoan communities.

The DFC and USTDA are collaborating to enhance U.S. supply chain resilience through targeted investments. This includes substantial funding for critical infrastructure projects in emerging markets, with a focus on minerals and energy sectors, presenting lucrative opportunities for GovCon contractors.

The Department of Defense is investing $300 million to procure 16,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate. This initiative aims to bolster national security by diversifying critical mineral supply chains and offers significant opportunities for global lithium producers.

The Department of Defense has significantly backed the United States Antimony Corporation's new facility in Montana. This initiative aims to boost domestic production of antimony, a vital mineral for national defense, marking a strategic move towards securing critical supply chains.

The U.S. Department of Defense is set to acquire 16,200 tons of lithium carbonate over five years to enhance national defense stockpiles. This initiative highlights the critical role of lithium in defense technologies and signals upcoming procurement opportunities in this sector.

Canada has launched its Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), requiring that 70% of defense procurement be awarded to Canadian firms. This initiative signals heightened opportunities for domestic suppliers and is part of a broader $180 billion investment to enhance military readiness and fulfill NATO commitments by 2035.

President Lee Jae-myung's participation in NATO and Mongolia visit aims to bolster defense industry integration. These efforts emphasize enhancing interoperability with NATO and expanding critical mineral partnerships, potentially opening procurement opportunities for defense contractors.

The London School of Economics issued a report on critical mineral stockpiling risks, warning that national efforts in countries like the U.S. and EU could disrupt supply chains and increase prices. Enhanced international coordination is recommended to mitigate these risks and promote stability in mineral markets.

The U.S. Army has awarded Enhanced Use Leases to four companies for developing critical mineral processing facilities on military installations. This effort aims to bolster domestic production of essential defense materials and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, with construction expected to commence by late 2027.

The U.S. Department of State is set to hold the Pax Silica Summit on June 25-26, 2026, focusing on artificial intelligence supply chains. This initiative aims to enhance international cooperation and investment in critical technologies essential for economic security and sustainable growth, potentially opening new procurement avenues for contractors in relevant fields.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has approved a substantial $2.5 billion investment aimed at enhancing energy security and infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific and Caucasus regions. This strategic package, which includes significant funding for critical minerals, opens new procurement opportunities for contractors specializing in these sectors.

The U.S. government is significantly investing in the critical minerals supply chain to enhance national security and reduce dependency on foreign sources. With substantial funding allocated to key projects, procurement professionals should prepare for increased opportunities in the domestic critical minerals sector, particularly for rare earth elements and battery materials.

The U.S., Japan, Australia, and India have unveiled the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, mobilizing up to **$20 billion** to enhance supply chain resilience for critical minerals. This initiative presents significant procurement opportunities for companies involved in mineral extraction, recycling, and technology development to align with multilateral goals.

The U.S. and India have signed a landmark agreement to bolster cooperation in critical minerals and rare earth elements. This framework aims to decrease reliance on China for these resources, ultimately benefiting the clean energy and defense sectors while presenting new procurement opportunities for contractors.

DARPA has partnered with the State of Utah and the University of Utah to launch the SMART initiative, focusing on the domestic production of critical minerals essential for national security. This program creates procurement opportunities for companies involved in mineral extraction and biotechnology.

The U.S. Department of War has awarded a **$1 million** Phase II **SBIR contract** to **Flash Metals Texas** for advancing the recovery of gallium and germanium from electronic waste. This initiative aims to enhance U.S. capabilities in critical mineral supply chains crucial for defense and semiconductor applications.

NOAA's upcoming 28-day expedition enhances capabilities in deep-sea exploration and international partnerships. Contractors specializing in marine technologies should prepare for future procurement opportunities related to advanced mapping and data analysis services.

The Defense Logistics Agency has awarded a $2 million contract to Advanced Magnet Lab to enhance domestic magnet manufacturing for defense applications. This move addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities in rare earth materials, emphasizing the federal government's commitment to bolster U.S. production capacities and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will host a webinar on May 21, 2026, showcasing advanced technologies aimed at critical mineral recovery and separation. This event underscores significant procurement opportunities in mining and material processing, aligning with federal efforts to enhance domestic mineral sourcing and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Mobix Labs has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire Special Project Delivery LLC (SPD), bolstering its role in the critical minerals supply chain. This acquisition aligns with federal efforts to strengthen domestic sourcing for defense and national security, presenting new contracting opportunities in the minerals sector.

Trafigura, EGC, and EVelution Energy have partnered to establish a cobalt supply chain from the DRC to the US. This initiative aims to meet 40% of US cobalt demand, bolstering supply chain security for critical minerals essential for defense and electric vehicle industries.