AMG to Establish US Chrome Metal Production Plant

AMG Critical Materials

AMG Chrome Expansion Targets Strategic Metal Supply Chain

Dutch firm AMG Critical Materials plans to build a chrome metal production facility in Pennsylvania by early 2026. The plant will produce 6,500 t/yr of aluminothermic chrome metal and aims to bolster US domestic capacity amid supply chain pressures.

Strengthening Domestic Chrome Supply

The $15 million investment will be located in New Castle, Pennsylvania, next to AMG Titanium’s existing plant. This strategic move builds on AMG’s extensive experience in chrome production through its UK-based subsidiary, AMG Chrome. The company’s Rotherham site currently produces high-purity degassed chrome and powders.

Meanwhile, AMG Titanium has supplied titanium master alloys and specialty metals to the defense, energy, and aerospace sectors for decades. The proximity of the new chrome plant is expected to support vertical integration and operational efficiency.

Geopolitical and Strategic Context

Chrome metal is vital for high-temperature applications, especially in defense and aerospace. The US government lists it as a critical material. The new US facility comes as Washington grapples with a limited domestic supply. Unwrought chromium and powders were exempted from recent tariffs due to the country’s lack of local production.

However, rising geopolitical tensions and the 25% tariff on Chinese chrome imposed in September 2024 have increased costs for US buyers. Following sanctions on Russian supplies, the US has become heavily dependent on China, heightening the urgency for local alternatives.

The Metalnomist Commentary

AMG’s investment highlights the growing Western push to onshore critical metal production amid supply chain risks. As trade tensions with China escalate, establishing domestic chrome output could offer long-term stability for aerospace and defense sectors.

China Critical Metals Group Signals Stronger State Control Over Strategic Supply

China Rare Earths

The China critical metals group marks a new phase in Beijing’s control over strategic materials. Guangxi has established the country’s first province-level state-run critical metals group. The new entity will focus on tin, antimony, and indium in the Nandan pilot zone. As a result, the China critical metals group strengthens state influence over strategic metals supply.

This move matters because critical metals now sit at the center of industrial policy and geopolitics. China already dominates several specialty metal supply chains. It has also used export controls to strengthen its position in global trade disputes. Therefore, the state-run critical metals group is both an industrial and strategic development.

Guangxi Critical Metals Platform Expands Beyond Resource Ownership

The Guangxi critical metals platform is designed to build a full industrial ecosystem. The new company plans to expand through investment, acquisitions, joint ventures, and broader cooperation. That approach suggests it will act as a consolidator, not just an asset holder. Consequently, the China critical metals group could reshape regional industry structure quickly.

The company already gained meaningful market influence through equity control. It became an indirect controlling shareholder of China Tin Nonferrous after a recent transaction. The new group now holds a 56.47pc stake. Therefore, the state-run critical metals group begins with real operating leverage rather than only policy ambition.

State-Run Critical Metals Group Reflects a Broader Strategic Trend

The state-run critical metals group reflects a broader global race for supply security. Western countries are trying to reduce reliance on Chinese critical minerals. Meanwhile, China is tightening coordination around strategic materials inside its own system. As a result, the China critical metals group looks like a direct response to rising international pressure.

This strategy also shows how China is moving from export control toward deeper domestic integration. Controlling mines alone is no longer enough in critical minerals. Governments now want stronger influence over processing, ownership, and industrial coordination. Therefore, Guangxi’s new platform may become a model for similar groups in other provinces.

The market significance is larger than the initial investment figure alone. A province-level state vehicle can move faster on consolidation and policy execution than fragmented private operators. That could strengthen China’s pricing power and supply discipline in several niche metals. Consequently, the China critical metals group may carry influence well beyond Guangxi.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This is not just a provincial restructuring story. It is a sign that China wants tighter institutional control over metals that matter in trade, technology, and national security. If this model expands, global buyers may face a more coordinated Chinese critical minerals system.

Aluminium on UK critical minerals list reshapes Britain’s strategy

Alfed(UK)

Aluminium on UK critical minerals list marks a major policy shift for Britain. The UK government will classify aluminium as both a critical and a growth material. This move recognises aluminium’s central role in economic resilience and low carbon manufacturing. Therefore aluminium on UK critical minerals list signals that supply security now sits alongside climate and industrial goals.

Why aluminium on UK critical minerals list matters for industry

Aluminium’s inclusion in the UK Critical Minerals Strategy strengthens its position across automotive, construction and energy transition value chains. The metal underpins everything from electric vehicles and lightweight structures to power grid upgrades and packaging. As a result, policy makers now treat aluminium supply disruption as a systemic economic risk.

This recognition should support new investment in recycling, low carbon smelting and domestic processing capacity. However, investors will still demand clarity on planning rules, power prices and long term demand signals. Aluminium on UK critical minerals list can unlock funding only if the broader policy framework stays predictable and supportive.

The UK also gains strategic alignment with allies that have already elevated aluminium to critical status. Nato’s classification of aluminium as a defence critical raw material underscores its role in aircraft, missiles and armoured systems. Consequently, the UK must manage aluminium supply with both industrial competitiveness and defence readiness in mind.

Defence demand and the UK Aluminium Alliance response

Defence and aerospace demand give additional weight to aluminium on UK critical minerals list. Lightweight yet strong alloys are essential for modern airframes, space systems and advanced weapons platforms. Therefore, secure access to primary metal and high performance alloys becomes a core national security issue.

Industry group Alfed is positioning the sector to respond to this new priority status. Its UK Aluminium Alliance platform aims to channel investment, shape regulation and accelerate policy reform. Meanwhile, the Alliance can help coordinate messages on energy costs, trade defence and sustainability metrics.

For UK producers and processors, the combination of critical and growth designation creates both opportunity and pressure. Companies will need to prove that their projects enhance resilience, cut emissions and support regional jobs. In return, they can argue for targeted support on infrastructure, innovation and skills development.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Aluminium’s elevation inside the UK Critical Minerals Strategy confirms that base metals now sit at the heart of security policy. The challenge will be translating this label into coherent action on power pricing, recycling and strategic stockpiles. If the UK aligns industrial policy with this new status, aluminium could become a flagship test case for integrated climate and security planning.

Sinova Quartz Quarry Reopening Targets 1 Million Tonnes Annual Production

Sinova Global

Sinova quartz quarry reopening advances as Canadian silicon metal producer Sinova Global restarts operations at its British Columbia facility. The Sinova quartz quarry, formerly known as Horse Creek quarry, will produce over 1 million tonnes annually of 99.6% pure quartz essential for silicon metal manufacturing, supporting North American aluminum and chemical industry supply chains through integrated production strategies.

High-Purity Quartz Supports Integrated Silicon Metal Production

Sinova quartz quarry operations will extract premium-grade raw materials exceeding 99.6% purity levels required for silicon metal production. Silicon metal serves critical roles as an alloying agent in aluminum manufacturing and silicone production within chemical industries. The high purity specifications ensure compatibility with stringent quality requirements across downstream applications.

Meanwhile, the extracted quartz will supply Sinova's Tennessee manufacturing facility currently under construction since 2022. This integrated approach creates vertical supply chain control from raw material extraction through finished silicon metal production. The cross-border logistics strategy demonstrates comprehensive North American market positioning while optimizing transportation costs and delivery reliability.

Strategic Partnerships Enable Rapid Project Implementation

However, Sinova secured necessary permits for construction activities while establishing local partnerships to expedite project development. The company partnered with construction firm Speers to lead construction projects and quartz extraction operations. This local partnership approach leverages regional expertise while supporting British Columbia's mining industry employment and economic development.

Therefore, the permit approval and partnership structure position Sinova for rapid operational restart without regulatory delays. Local construction partnerships provide immediate access to skilled workforce and specialized equipment necessary for quarry operations. The established relationships also facilitate ongoing operational support and maintenance requirements.

North American Supply Chain Integration Strengthens Market Position

Furthermore, the British Columbia quarry reopening aligns with broader North American critical minerals supply chain resilience initiatives. Silicon metal demand continues growing across aluminum and chemical sectors driven by infrastructure development and advanced manufacturing requirements. The integrated Canada-US production model reduces dependence on Asian silicon metal imports while ensuring supply security.

As a result, Sinova's vertical integration strategy from quarry through manufacturing creates competitive advantages in cost control and quality assurance. The 1 million tonne annual production capacity represents substantial market presence within North American quartz supply chains. This capacity supports long-term contracted supply relationships with major aluminum producers and chemical manufacturers requiring reliable silicon metal access.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Sinova's quartz quarry reopening exemplifies strategic vertical integration in critical minerals supply chains, leveraging high-purity Canadian resources to support growing North American silicon metal demand. The integrated approach from British Columbia extraction through Tennessee processing demonstrates how companies can build supply chain resilience while capitalizing on regional resource advantages and cross-border manufacturing synergies.

EU funding boosts sustainable indium mining at Germany’s Pohla mine

Saxore Bergbau

EU funding for sustainable indium mining is giving new life to Germany’s historic Pohla mine in Saxony. First Tin subsidiary Saxore Bergbau has secured support to prove that sustainable indium mining can be commercially viable through bioleaching, using micro-organisms instead of traditional smelting. The Tellerhauser project hosts more than 700t of indicated indium, alongside tin, tungsten and fluorspar, making it one of Europe’s largest indium deposits. This combination of scale and low-impact technology positions sustainable indium mining as a core element of Europe’s critical raw materials strategy.

Bioleaching moves sustainable indium mining into the low-emission era

The EU-backed XTRACT project will provide €200,000 to develop bioleaching at Pohla, with pilot operations targeted for 2026. Bioleaching, also called biomining, uses micro-organisms to dissolve metals from ore under controlled conditions. As a result, it avoids the high temperatures and sulphur dioxide emissions associated with conventional smelting. The process stabilises sulphate toxins, reduces local air pollution and allows metal recovery from low-grade tailings that would usually be discarded. If successful at industrial scale, bioleaching could prove that sustainable indium mining can both cut emissions and unlock value from legacy waste streams. This aligns closely with EU climate goals and the push to decarbonise upstream metals production.

Turning legacy mine waste into strategic critical metal supply

Pohla previously produced uranium and tin before closing in 1990, leaving behind waste piles and partially mined resources. Now, the Tellerhauser project aims to convert that legacy into a modern source of indium, tin, tungsten and fluorspar. XTRACT will also test technologies for treating old waste piles and abandoned sites, targeting both environmental remediation and recovery of additional valuable metals. In practice, that means turning historical liabilities into assets while reducing the footprint of new mining. For Europe’s electronics, photovoltaic and advanced materials sectors, sustainable indium mining at Pohla could become a blueprint for securing critical supply without repeating the environmental mistakes of past decades.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This project sits at the intersection of critical minerals security and environmental innovation. If bioleaching at Tellerhauser delivers on its promise, it could accelerate wider deployment of biomining across Europe’s legacy sites and reshape how the region views mine waste. For downstream users of indium and associated metals, the outcome will signal how fast Europe can scale cleaner, home-grown critical metal supply.

Blue Moon tungsten project revives Nevada’s Springer critical metals hub

Blue Moon Metals

Blue Moon tungsten project ambitions are advancing with the planned acquisition of Nevada’s historic Springer mine and mill. The Blue Moon tungsten project will give the Canadian producer a ready-built processing base in Pershing County, focused on high-grade tungsten. As a result, the Blue Moon tungsten project positions the company inside the US critical minerals value chain at a time of rising strategic demand.

Blue Moon tungsten project anchors US strategic tungsten capacity

The Springer mine holds an indicated resource of 355,000t at 0.537pc tungsten trioxide. This grade underpins the Blue Moon tungsten project and offers meaningful scale for a niche metal. However, the strategic value extends far beyond ore tonnage, because the site already includes a tungsten-focused processing circuit.

The existing mill can process about 1,200 t/d of tungsten concentrates and ammonium paratungstate (APT). Therefore, the Blue Moon tungsten project inherits not only ore but also midstream capability, shortening the development timeline. In a tight tungsten market, having integrated mine and APT capacity in Nevada strengthens US supply security.

Springer mill opens multi-metal pathway for Blue Moon

The Springer mill can be modified to treat other critical metals, creating optionality for Blue Moon. The company has flagged its Blue Moon zinc-copper mine in California as a potential feedstock source. As a result, Springer could evolve into a regional hub for underground critical metals mines in the western US.

By paying $500,000 for exclusive rights, Blue Moon secured a low-cost entry into an existing asset base. Meanwhile, the ability to adapt the mill for multiple products could improve project economics and risk diversification. This flexibility will matter if tungsten prices fluctuate or if demand for other critical metals accelerates.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Turning Springer into a multi-metal critical minerals hub would give Blue Moon leverage far beyond tungsten alone. The key question is whether the company can finance refurbishment and secure steady feedstock flows quickly enough to capture strategic premiums. If executed well, this could become a template for repurposing legacy US assets into modern critical metals platforms.

Outokumpu US chromium metal investment targets high-value aerospace and defence demand

Outokumpu US chromium metal

Outokumpu US chromium metal investment marks a strategic move into premium specialty metals for aerospace, defence and energy markets. The New Hampshire pilot plant will produce enriched ferro-chrome at 65pc Cr and chromium metal at 90pc Cr purity. As a result, Outokumpu US chromium metal investment positions the group closer to high-spec alloy supply chains in North America.

Low-carbon chromium technology and staged capacity build-out

Outokumpu is using proprietary low-carbon technology at the new US pilot plant. The facility is scheduled to start operations in the first half of 2027, following earlier R&D work at its Boston laboratory opened in 2024. Therefore, Outokumpu US chromium metal investment clearly links regional technology development with commercial-scale metals production.

The $45mn pilot project will validate process performance, carbon intensity and product quality for enriched ferro-chrome and chromium metal. After the pilot phase, Outokumpu plans an industrial-scale plant with 10,000 t/yr capacity, targeted for 2029-30 start-up. This staged approach reduces scale-up risk while building customer confidence in long-term chromium supply.

Premium chromium metal for aerospace and critical sectors

Outokumpu aims to supply premium-priced chromium metal into high-value aerospace, defence and energy applications. Chromium metal already trades at a wide pricing spread by origin and specification, with European material priced well above Chinese and Russian supply. European-origin chromium for aerospace and defence often sits at or above the top of current market assessments, reinforcing the value of qualifying high-purity product.

By anchoring production in the US, Outokumpu can offer a Western, lower-carbon source of chromium metal and enriched ferro-chrome. This strengthens regional resilience for aero-engine alloys, superalloys and advanced stainless grades. In turn, the Outokumpu US chromium metal investment moves the company’s ferro-chrome business further into the specialty metals space, as highlighted by chief technology officer Stefan Erdmann.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Outokumpu is reading the market correctly by aligning chromium metal capacity with aerospace and defence re-shoring trends. If the new technology delivers both lower carbon and tight specifications, the company could secure a durable price premium despite global oversupply risks. The key watchpoints now are qualification timelines with major alloy producers and how quickly industrial-scale capacity locks in long-term offtake.

US Moves to Diversify Metal Supply with New Legislation

US Metal

The United States is taking proactive steps to reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals by introducing three new pieces of legislation. Congressman Rob Wittman, a Republican leader of the critical minerals policy working group, announced the bills this week, which aim to develop alternative supply chains for key minerals vital to technology, defense, and energy sectors.

Earth Sciences and Co-operation Enhancement Act of 2024

One of the key pieces of legislation is the Earth Sciences and Co-operation Enhancement Act of 2024, which seeks to fund international collaboration to diversify the critical mineral supply chain. This bill allocates $3 million for the 2025 fiscal year, aimed at financing research to locate new mineral resources and foster partnerships between US universities, private-sector companies, and scientists. The bill’s objective is to enhance cooperation with international partners and reduce the US's dependence on foreign-controlled resources.

Amendment to the Export Reform Control Act of 2018

Another significant bill, the Amendment to the Export Reform Control Act of 2018, proposes the introduction of export controls on black mass (recycled lithium-ion battery material) and swarf (by-products from magnet manufacturing). The legislation mandates that foreign entities seeking to export or re-export these materials will need a license. This move is designed to improve the US’s control over the recycling and recovery of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel from used batteries, a growing source of essential materials for various industries.

Securing Essential and Critical US Resources and Elements Minerals Act of 2024

The Securing Essential and Critical US Resources and Elements Minerals Act of 2024 rounds out the new legislative package by establishing a reserve to stabilize prices for critical minerals. The bill proposes a board of governors to oversee private-sector market makers who will be authorized to buy and distribute critical minerals, helping to maintain price stability and market-oriented practices. This reserve would be updated annually to ensure it covers the most critical minerals for the US economy.

These legislative moves come in response to the increasing political and economic pressure surrounding the US's reliance on China for critical minerals. Recent trade tensions have exacerbated this issue, with China suspending exports of gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US in early December. The new bills reflect the growing urgency to establish a more resilient and independent mineral supply chain, ensuring that the US can better meet its technological and industrial needs while mitigating the risks of supply disruptions.

Trafigura Critical Minerals Loan Strengthens Germany’s Raw Materials Security

Trafigura

Trafigura critical minerals loan support from the German government marks another major step in Europe’s effort to secure strategic raw materials. The $2.1bn, five-year agreement is designed to support supplies for Germany’s industrial, energy, and technology sectors at a time when critical minerals are becoming central to economic security.

The loan is guaranteed through Germany’s export credit agency Euler Hermes and co-arranged by Commerzbank. A consortium of eight lenders financed the package. This structure shows how governments are increasingly using credit guarantees to support supply access, not only domestic production.

Trafigura critical minerals loan financing also reflects Germany’s growing reliance on public-private supply frameworks. The company previously secured an $800mn Germany-backed loan in 2022 to supply refined non-ferrous metals and a $3bn loan the same year to support gas supply. The latest agreement shifts the focus toward minerals needed for the green transition, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

Germany Deepens State-Backed Support for Critical Minerals Supply

Germany is treating critical minerals supply as an industrial resilience issue. The new loan does not identify specific minerals or projects, but the EU’s critical raw materials list includes rare earths, gallium, germanium, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. These materials are essential for batteries, semiconductors, power systems, defence applications, and high-performance manufacturing.

The financing also shows how Europe is responding to supply concentration risk. Many critical minerals are mined, refined, or processed in limited jurisdictions. As a result, industrial buyers are exposed not only to price volatility, but also to export controls, geopolitical disruption, and refining bottlenecks.

Trafigura critical minerals loan support gives Germany a mechanism to strengthen access through one of the world’s largest commodity trading networks. For German manufacturers, this matters because access to raw materials can determine competitiveness in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics, aerospace, and industrial technology.

Processing Capacity Becomes the Strategic Battleground

Trafigura has repeatedly argued that governments must support smelting and refining capacity if they want resilient critical minerals supply chains. This is a key point because supply security does not end at mining. Many strategic materials become usable only after complex refining, by-product recovery, and metallurgical processing.

Nyrstar, Trafigura’s metals subsidiary, is becoming an important part of that strategy. The company is expanding processing capacity for by-products such as antimony, germanium, indium, and bismuth. These materials often come from existing metallurgical circuits, making legacy smelters strategically valuable in the critical minerals economy.

Nyrstar’s first shipments of Australian-produced antimony metal from its Port Pirie plant highlight this approach. Instead of waiting for entirely new mines and refineries, Trafigura is using existing infrastructure to scale output of materials with high strategic value. That model could become increasingly important as Europe and allied economies race to reduce exposure to concentrated supply chains.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This loan shows that critical minerals security is moving from policy language into balance-sheet-backed industrial action. The winners will be companies that control logistics, refining knowledge, and by-product recovery capacity, not only mine ownership.

US Gallium Recovery Projects Target Domestic Supply Chain for Defense and Semiconductors

DOE(The US Department of Energy)

US gallium recovery projects will receive $5.4mn in funding from the Department of Energy as Washington tries to rebuild domestic supply for a metal critical to defense systems, semiconductors and advanced electronics. The funding will support five US-based projects under the Technology for Recovery and Advanced Critical-material Extraction – Gallium initiative.

The TRACE-Ga initiative is designed to prototype technologies that can recover gallium from US metal-processing feedstocks. This is important because the US is fully import-reliant for gallium and has not produced the metal domestically since 1987.

US gallium recovery projects are gaining urgency because gallium is essential for compound semiconductor materials, including gallium nitride. These materials support power electronics, radio-frequency devices, radar systems, satellite communications, fast chargers, LEDs and other high-performance technologies.

The funding is modest in scale, but strategically important. It signals that the US is no longer focusing only on mining new critical minerals. It is also trying to recover strategic metals from industrial by-products, waste streams and existing processing networks.

TRACE-Ga Funding Targets Recovery From Existing Feedstocks

The DOE award will support five companies working on gallium recovery technologies. Participants include PHNX Materials, Atlantic Alumina Company, Found Energy, Kunin Technologies and Indium Corporation.

The selection of companies shows how broad the recovery opportunity could become. Gallium is not usually mined as a primary product. It is commonly recovered as a by-product from other industrial processes, especially alumina and zinc-related supply chains.

This makes gallium recovery different from conventional mining. The key challenge is not only finding deposits, but identifying feedstocks where gallium exists in recoverable concentrations and developing technologies that can extract it economically.

Industrial waste refiner PHNX Materials could support recovery from complex waste streams. Atlantic Alumina Company brings relevance to alumina-linked feedstock. Found Energy adds an aluminum-related industrial angle, while Kunin Technologies focuses on mineral by-product recovery. Indium Corporation brings downstream metals refining and manufacturing expertise.

The TRACE-Ga initiative therefore targets the middle of the supply chain. It seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory recovery methods and scalable domestic production.

That gap matters because gallium supply is highly concentrated. China dominates primary gallium production and has used export controls to increase pressure on global buyers. For US defense and semiconductor supply chains, reliance on foreign gallium has become a clear strategic risk.

Domestic recovery could help reduce that exposure. Even if early projects produce limited volumes, they can prove process routes, identify feedstock partners and create the technical base for larger recovery systems.

The use of US metal-processing feedstocks also fits a wider circular materials strategy. Instead of waiting for new mines, the US can extract critical materials from industrial streams already moving through domestic facilities.

This could make recovery faster than new primary production. However, it still requires technical success, feedstock security, refining capability and customer qualification.

Gallium Nitride Demand Raises Strategic Pressure

Gallium’s strategic value has increased because of its role in gallium nitride and other compound semiconductor materials. Gallium nitride is widely used where high power, high frequency, efficiency and heat performance matter.

These applications are highly relevant to defense and advanced electronics. Radar, communications systems, satellite technologies, power conversion equipment and semiconductor devices all rely on materials where gallium can be difficult to substitute.

The DOE’s TRACE-Ga funding also sits alongside a larger notice of funding opportunity of up to $69mn. That programme targets technologies and processes that advance domestic production and refining of critical materials, including gallium and gallium nitride for semiconductor applications.

This shows that Washington is building a layered funding strategy. TRACE-Ga supports recovery prototypes, while broader DOE programmes aim to scale refining, alloying and advanced material production.

For the semiconductor industry, domestic gallium supply is not only a raw material issue. It is connected to wafer production, epitaxy, device manufacturing, packaging and defense procurement. A shortage or export disruption at the gallium stage can move through the entire compound semiconductor chain.

This is why gallium recovery matters even if volumes are small at first. Strategic materials often have low tonnage but high consequence. A reliable domestic supply stream can reduce procurement risk for critical systems.

The challenge will be commercialisation. Recovery from waste and by-products can be technically complex because gallium concentrations may be low and feedstock chemistry can vary. Companies must prove that their processes can recover gallium consistently, meet purity requirements and operate at competitive cost.

The US also needs downstream refining capacity. Recovering gallium-bearing material is not enough if the material cannot be refined into forms suitable for semiconductor and defense applications.

The DOE funding is therefore best understood as an early-stage industrial rebuilding tool. It does not immediately solve US gallium dependence, but it helps create the technologies and partnerships needed to rebuild supply.

The Metalnomist Commentary

US gallium recovery projects show that critical mineral security increasingly depends on recovering by-products from existing industrial systems. The strategic test will be whether TRACE-Ga can move beyond prototypes and create reliable domestic feedstock for gallium nitride, defense electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

IperionX Launches Feasibility Study for U.S. Titanium and Rare Earth Project

IperionX Project

Titan Project Targets Domestic Titanium, Rare Earths, and Zirconium Supply

U.S.-based IperionX has initiated a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Titan Critical Minerals project in Tennessee. The project, backed by more than $60 million in U.S. federal funding, aims to support a domestic titanium supply chain. The DFS is scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2026.

Titan contains titanium, zirconium, and both light and heavy rare earth elements (REEs). Notably, it holds critical materials like dysprosium, terbium, neodymium, and praseodymium, which are essential for national defense and advanced technologies. IperionX says Titan has the potential to become the largest U.S. source of heavy REEs.

U.S. Strategic Goals Back Critical Mineral Development

The U.S. government’s financial support reflects the national urgency to reduce dependence on foreign critical mineral imports. These elements are vital for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military technologies. Meanwhile, the ongoing progress at IperionX’s Virginia titanium facility signals broader ambitions to onshore titanium metal production.

IperionX is uniquely positioned as both a miner and metal producer, aligning with the Department of Defense’s push for vertical integration of strategic materials. Its titanium output, paired with rare earths from Titan, would significantly enhance U.S. resource security.

Focus Keyphrase: Titan Critical Minerals Project

The Titan Critical Minerals project represents a major leap toward domestic critical mineral self-sufficiency. With a unique mix of titanium, zirconium, and rare earths, Titan stands out among U.S. mineral assets. IperionX’s dual approach—upstream mining and downstream processing—further strengthens the value chain.

As global supply chains shift and geopolitical risks rise, Titan’s progress could redefine the U.S. role in global critical mineral markets.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Titan is more than a mine; it is a strategic asset. IperionX’s development could reshape America’s critical materials future—especially for defense and clean tech.

Gallium and Scandium Waste Recovery Startup Targets Critical Mineral Bottlenecks

Supra Elemental Recovery

Gallium and scandium waste recovery is gaining a new player in the US critical minerals market. Supra Elemental Recovery launched with $2mn to advance its reusable cartridge technology. The company aims to recover metals from industrial byproducts, mine tailings, and electronic waste. As a result, gallium and scandium waste recovery is moving closer to commercial use.

This matters because gallium and scandium remain strategically sensitive materials. Western supply has tightened after Chinese export controls squeezed access to several critical minerals. That pressure has increased across defense, aerospace, and energy-related supply chains. Therefore, US gallium supply and scandium recycling are becoming more important industrial priorities.

The company’s approach also stands out because it focuses on recovery from waste streams rather than new mining alone. Supra says its system uses a reusable sponge-like cartridge to capture target metals. That model could reduce dependence on conventional upstream supply. Consequently, gallium and scandium waste recovery may become a more practical diversification tool.

Critical Mineral Recovery Technology Moves Toward Pilot Scale

Critical mineral recovery technology is becoming more valuable as concentrated supply chains remain a strategic risk. Supra’s system is designed to recover metals from several overlooked sources, including industrial waste and mine tailings. That gives the company access to materials that already exist inside the industrial system. As a result, the business is aligned with the growing push for circular supply models.

The company is also preparing for a commercial pilot in 2026. The initial funding will support further technology development and pilot readiness. That means the project is still early stage, but it is moving beyond pure research. Therefore, critical mineral recovery technology is starting to enter a more commercial phase.

The scientific foundation adds credibility to the effort. Supra’s technology builds on federally supported research at the University of Texas at Austin. That background suggests the company is building from a stronger technical base than a typical early startup. Meanwhile, it aligns with broader US interest in domestic critical minerals innovation.

US Gallium Supply and Scandium Recycling Could Gain a New Pathway

US gallium supply could benefit if Supra proves it can recover high-purity material at meaningful scale. Gallium remains important for semiconductors, electronics, and advanced industrial uses. Scandium also matters for aerospace and other high-performance applications. Therefore, a domestic recovery pathway for both metals would carry strategic value.

The business may also extend beyond these two materials. Supra is testing recovery of cobalt, lithium, and some rare earths. That suggests the company is building a platform rather than a single-metal solution. Consequently, gallium and scandium waste recovery may be only the first step in a broader critical minerals strategy.

The wider market message is clear. Waste recovery is no longer a secondary topic in strategic materials. It is becoming a serious supply option where mining and refining remain exposed to geopolitical concentration. As a result, smaller technology firms may play a bigger role in future critical mineral resilience than their scale first suggests.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This launch matters because it focuses on one of the most overlooked parts of the critical minerals chain: recoverable waste. Gallium and scandium are small-volume metals, but they create outsized pressure when supply tightens. If Supra can prove its process at pilot scale, waste recovery could become a more credible answer to critical mineral concentration.

ReElement tungsten deal deepens US–Uzbek strategic metals ties

Tungsten

The ReElement tungsten deal creates a new supply route for high-purity tungsten into the US market. Under the agreement, American Resources (AREC) will source tungsten concentrate from Uzbek miner TMK for refining by ReElement and other US processors. This structure supports US efforts to secure critical minerals outside traditional supply hubs.

The partnership positions the ReElement tungsten deal at the intersection of upstream mining and advanced refining technologies. TMK will provide concentrate while ReElement applies its refining capabilities to deliver high-purity tungsten products. As a result, US manufacturers in aerospace, defense, energy and hard-metal tooling gain an alternative source for one of the most strategic refractory metals.

Critically, the ReElement tungsten deal aligns with broader US policy to diversify supply chains. Tungsten remains vital for armor-piercing munitions, cutting tools and high-temperature alloys. Therefore, long-term, multi-party collaborations like this one can reduce exposure to geopolitical risk and price shocks in tungsten markets.

Beyond tungsten: pathway to germanium, lithium and rare earths

The agreement also lays groundwork for future cooperation in germanium, lithium and rare earth elements. ReElement has signalled that the ReElement tungsten deal is only the first step in a wider strategic partnership with TMK and Uzbekistan. This could eventually extend into a multi-metal platform for critical minerals.

Germanium and rare earth elements are central to semiconductors, optics and permanent magnets, while lithium underpins global battery supply chains. By starting with tungsten and then expanding scope, the parties can test logistics, quality and financing frameworks before scaling into other sensitive metals. As a result, this phased approach lowers execution risk while still supporting long-term diversification goals.

Uzbekistan trade deal provides political and financial tailwind

The ReElement tungsten deal also benefits from a supportive diplomatic backdrop. The US and Uzbekistan recently signed a broader trade and economic agreement, under which Tashkent plans to invest and purchase around $35bn in key US sectors over three years. This political framework should ease regulatory processes and encourage additional capital flows into mining and refining projects.

For Uzbekistan, TMK’s partnership with ReElement and AREC showcases its ambition to move deeper into global critical minerals supply chains. Meanwhile, US stakeholders gain access to new Central Asian resources without fully depending on legacy suppliers. If successfully implemented, the partnership could become a model for similar deal structures across other critical minerals.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This agreement illustrates how mid-tier refiners like ReElement are becoming pivotal in rewiring critical mineral supply chains. Starting with tungsten, the partnership could mature into a broader multi-metal bridge between US technology sectors and Central Asian resources. Market participants should watch how quickly the parties move from concentrate shipments to scalable, multi-metal offtake platforms.

US Germanium Refining Expansion Gains Strategic Momentum with 5N Plus Award

5N Plus

US germanium refining expansion gained new momentum after the Department of Defense awarded $18.1mn to 5N Plus. The funding will support capacity growth at the company’s St George facility in Utah. This US germanium refining expansion targets higher recovery of metal from industrial waste. As a result, the project could strengthen domestic germanium supply for strategic applications.

The award matters because germanium remains a critical bottleneck material in the United States. The metal is essential for infrared optics, fibre-optic communication, satellite solar cells, and semiconductor uses. Meanwhile, the Pentagon sees domestic germanium production as a high-priority industrial base issue. Therefore, US germanium refining expansion now carries both commercial and defense significance.

5N Plus plans to scale output gradually through 2030. The company aims to produce 20 t/yr of high-purity germanium from recycling and recovery streams. That volume could satisfy a significant share of US demand. Consequently, 5N Plus germanium refining may become an important pillar of domestic supply resilience.

Domestic Germanium Supply Still Faces a Clear Strategic Gap

Domestic germanium supply remains limited compared with US consumption needs. In 2024, the United States imported both germanium metal and germanium dioxide. That import dependence exposes critical industries to external supply shocks. Therefore, expanding local refining capacity has become a strategic necessity.

China’s dominance explains why this matters so much. China controls most global germanium supply and introduced export controls in 2023. Those restrictions tightened non-Chinese availability and pushed prices to record highs. As a result, US germanium refining expansion is now part of a broader effort to reduce supply concentration risk.

The St George project also focuses on a practical route to growth. Recycling and industrial waste recovery can add supply faster than waiting for new mines. That makes the project more realistic in the near term. Meanwhile, it supports a more circular domestic materials chain.

Germanium Recycling Is Becoming a Defense Supply Chain Priority

Germanium recycling is no longer a niche topic in specialty materials. It is becoming a priority for industrial resilience and weapons platform support. The Department of Defense said refining capacity is a key bottleneck affecting critical military systems. Therefore, this award targets a weak point in the US defense materials base.

The project also carries policy importance beyond its size. It is the first investment made by the Defense Production Act Purchases Office in fiscal 2026. That suggests germanium now sits near the front of current critical minerals action. Consequently, 5N Plus germanium refining may become a reference case for future specialty metal support.

The wider message is clear. Supply security now depends on refining and recovery as much as on raw material access. A stronger domestic germanium chain can support semiconductors, communications, and defense applications at the same time. Therefore, US germanium refining expansion matters far beyond one facility in Utah.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This is a small-tonnage project with outsized strategic value. Germanium is one of those specialty metals where refining capacity matters more than headline volume. If 5N Plus executes well, this award could mark an important shift in how the US rebuilds critical material security.

Rhenium Deficit Persists, Boosting Recycling Prospects

Rhenium Recycling

Rhenium, a rare metal critical for aerospace, medical, and catalyst applications, is facing a growing supply deficit, driving prices to new highs. As demand continues to surge, particularly from the aerospace and medical sectors, the need for rhenium is expected to increase further, creating a shortage that could significantly impact long-term contracts and stockpiles. The rising costs and limited supply of primary rhenium have prompted a renewed focus on recycling, with many buyers turning to secondary sources to secure supplies.

Strong Demand Drives Price Surge

Over the past few months, rhenium prices have seen a sharp rise, with strong demand from aerospace and medical applications leading the charge. From late June to early September 2024, prices surged in major markets including the U.S., Europe, and China. Although prices have stabilized recently, consumers, especially in the aerospace sector, are becoming more concerned with availability rather than the spot price. Rhenium producers have reported depleted stockpiles, exacerbating the ongoing supply squeeze.

A major contributing factor to the shortage has been the dramatic increase in Chinese rhenium imports, with China importing over 26 tons of rhenium from Chile in 2023—about one-third of the world’s annual output. This surge is linked to China’s efforts to boost its aviation engine technology and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for both civil and military aircraft.

Medical Sector Adds to Growing Demand

Rhenium’s role in medical implants has also become a significant driver of demand. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the molybdenum-rhenium (Mo-50Re) alloy in medical implants in August 2024, marking a breakthrough that could replace cobalt-chromium and titanium-based materials in various implants. The medical sector’s rhenium demand is expected to range from 10 to 20 tons over the next two years, further tightening the already constrained supply. While the medical market in China remains uncertain, the country’s growing consumption in this field could add pressure to global supply chains.

Supply Constraints and the Need for Recycling

Rhenium’s supply is highly inelastic, meaning it cannot quickly adjust to changes in demand. The metal is primarily extracted as a by-product of copper and molybdenum sulphide concentrates, and its production process is complex and costly. As a result, it is difficult to ramp up production quickly in response to spikes in demand, and with long-term contracts already accounting for most of the world’s rhenium output, spot sales are limited.

With limited primary supply available, many consumers in the aerospace and medical sectors are now turning to secondary materials. Rhenium recycling has emerged as a viable solution in an environment of rising prices. According to James Peer, director of Maritime House, recycling serves as a natural hedge in a market with an unreliable primary supply. Dandy Roh, CEO of DongASpecialMetal, also confirmed that with prices on the rise, recycling is becoming increasingly attractive.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that approximately 25,000 kg of secondary rhenium was produced worldwide in 2023, reflecting growing interest in recycled material. However, despite the potential for recycling to ease supply pressures, there is no direct substitute for rhenium in many of its critical applications, particularly in superalloys and catalysts. This lack of alternatives compounds the challenges posed by the supply crunch.

Future Outlook: Higher Prices and Potential Substitutes

Given the continued supply constraints, rhenium prices are expected to rise further. However, prices would need to increase significantly before end-users consider switching to substitute materials. While alternatives such as gallium, germanium, and indium are being evaluated for use in rhenium catalysts, they are not yet seen as viable substitutes in superalloys. Consequently, the increasing demand for rhenium across various sectors suggests that the metal’s value will continue to rise, reinforcing the case for recycling as a key strategy to mitigate supply risks.

As rhenium prices continue to climb, recycling will likely play an essential role in meeting the growing demand, providing a necessary hedge for industries dependent on this critical metal.

Critical One Energy Shifts Focus to Antimony Exploration

Critical One Energy

Canadian Miner Targets Growing Antimony Demand

Critical One Energy will shift its focus to antimony exploration at its Howells Lake project in Ontario, marking a strategic pivot from uranium. Chief executive Duane Parnham stated the company aims to capitalize on the rapidly increasing demand for the metal, which is essential for military applications, flame retardants, and lead-based alloys used in batteries and cables.

Canada currently produces no antimony, according to the US Geological Survey, making Critical One’s initiative a significant development in domestic supply efforts. The move also underscores a broader trend of companies realigning portfolios toward critical minerals amid global supply chain pressures.

Divestment from Uranium and Royalty Benefits

To finance its antimony-focused strategy, Critical One sold its Khan and Cobra uranium projects in Namibia to Dark Star Minerals. The transaction includes $3.5mn in staged cash payments and Dark Star shares, alongside a 2pc royalty on all metals produced from the Namibian projects.

This divestment allows Critical One to concentrate resources on Howells Lake, positioning itself to become one of Canada’s early movers in antimony exploration. Meanwhile, the royalty arrangement ensures continued financial exposure to Namibia’s uranium sector without operational burdens.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Critical One’s pivot reflects the growing recognition of antimony as a strategic critical mineral with national security and energy transition importance. By prioritizing Howells Lake, the company could play a pivotal role in reducing North America’s dependence on imports. However, success will hinge on exploration outcomes and downstream partnerships that can turn resources into supply chain resilience.

Critical Metals rare earth offtake strengthens US magnet supply chain

REalloys

The new Critical Metals rare earth offtake with REalloys signals a decisive shift in North American magnet sourcing. Under the agreement, Critical Metals will allocate 15pc of its heavy and medium rare earth feedstock from the Tanbreez project in Greenland. The Critical Metals rare earth offtake could total up to 6.8mn t of concentrates over the multi-year term. This volume will give REalloys a steady pipeline of rare earth concentrates for downstream refining in the US. REalloys will process the feedstock at its Euclid, Ohio facility, which already supplies rare earth magnet materials and alloys into defence and industrial markets. The company is a supplier to the US Defense Logistics Agency, linking Tanbreez material directly to strategic US security needs. As a result, the Critical Metals rare earth offtake strengthens the emerging US effort to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supply.

US rare earth ecosystem deepens through multi-partner strategy

The agreement with REalloys comes on top of Critical Metals’ earlier deal with Canadian processor Ucore Rare Metals. That arrangement secures 10pc of Tanbreez rare earth feedstock for Ucore’s processing capacity. Together, these staged allocations show how Critical Metals is spreading Tanbreez output across multiple North American processors. This reduces single-buyer risk while helping regional refiners lock in secure feedstock. Meanwhile, both REalloys and Ucore can plan investments in separation, alloying and magnet metal capabilities with greater confidence. The Tanbreez deposit’s mix of heavy and medium rare earths is especially important for high-performan`ce magnets. These include defence platforms, electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced industrial equipment where supply security is now a board-level concern. If project execution proceeds as planned, the Critical Metals rare earth offtake framework could become a reference model for future mine-to-magnet partnerships.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Critical Metals is quietly building a de-risked customer base even before Tanbreez reaches full production, which is a smart move in a volatile price environment. By locking in offtake with both REalloys and Ucore, the company positions Tanbreez as a backbone asset in a broader North American rare earths ecosystem rather than a standalone mine. The key questions now are project timing, permitting and capital discipline, all of which will determine how quickly this strategic feedstock can translate into real magnet capacity.

Australia Invests A$138.5 Million in Critical Minerals to Strengthen Domestic Supply Chains

Resource Capital Funds

In a significant move to bolster its domestic critical minerals sector, the Australian government announced a new round of investments and grants totaling A$138.5 million ($88.4 million) over the past week. This follows the recent approval of the Future Made in Australia (FMA) investment framework, aimed at diversifying the nation's critical mineral supply chains and creating jobs to meet national security, climate, and energy goals.

Key Investments to Support Domestic Mineral Production

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King highlighted that the majority of these investments will be channeled through Resource Capital Funds (RCF), a specialist investor focused on metal extraction. RCF will invest $75 million in decarbonization projects within the critical minerals sector, marking a significant step in Australia's ongoing efforts to support cleaner, more sustainable mining operations.

Additionally, grants totaling $13.4 million were awarded to five mineral processors across the country to aid the early-stage development of rare earth, vanadium, fluorite, and graphite plants. These projects will play a pivotal role in meeting both domestic and global demand for these vital materials.

This new funding comes on top of A$303.2 million in loans that have already been provided to Iluka Resources for its Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery project. This refinery, located in Western Australia, is a key part of Australia's strategy to become a more significant player in the global rare earths market.

Strategic Alignment with Global Security and Climate Goals

Minister King emphasized the critical importance of these investments in diversifying global supply chains for materials that are crucial to clean energy, climate initiatives, and national security. Australia's growing role in the global critical minerals supply chain is reinforced by its recent FMA package, which allocated $14.3 billion to support the minerals sector, including tax incentives for production.

Australia's commitment to securing its mineral supply chain aligns closely with the goals of its international partners. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government has been actively fostering partnerships to ensure a stable and diversified critical mineral supply. Notably, a year into office, the Australian government signed the Climate, Critical Minerals, and Clean Energy Transformation Agreement with the US, which seeks to accelerate the diversification of clean energy supply chains and ensure stable mineral supply for both countries.

Additionally, the US has shown increasing interest in Australian critical minerals, with the US government recently supporting Australian miner Lynas in its efforts to establish a rare earth plant in the US. These moves further underscore the global strategic importance of securing a steady supply of critical minerals like rare earths, lithium, and vanadium.

Rio Tinto Explores Gallium Extraction in Canada Amid Global Supply Shift

Rio Tinto

Global mining giant Rio Tinto is investigating the feasibility of extracting gallium from its operations in Canada, positioning itself to play a critical role in the North American supply chain for this strategically significant metal. The company plans to establish a demonstration plant in Quebec's Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, which could eventually produce up to 40 million tonnes of gallium annually, accounting for 5-10% of global output.

Leveraging Bauxite for Gallium Extraction

The gallium extraction initiative focuses on utilizing the gallium present in the bauxite ore processed at Rio Tinto's alumina refinery in Quebec. This approach highlights the company’s innovation in valorizing existing materials in its production processes.

During the project's initial phase, Rio Tinto will evaluate the technology required to extract gallium. If successful, the company aims to build a demonstration facility capable of producing 3.5 million tonnes annually in its early stages, with plans to expand capacity as demand grows.

Gallium, a critical metal primarily used in the semiconductor and solar panel industries, has seen a surge in strategic importance following China's decision to restrict exports of gallium and other vital minerals to the U.S. As the world's largest gallium producer, China's actions underscore the need for alternative sources, making Rio Tinto's initiative a pivotal development.

Strengthening North American Critical Mineral Supply

Rio Tinto’s project aligns with broader efforts to bolster the North American supply chain for critical and strategic minerals, ensuring a more resilient and independent supply network. Rio Tinto Aluminium’s chief executive, Jerome Pecresse, emphasized the project’s role in addressing geopolitical and supply chain challenges in the global critical metals market.

With the growing reliance on gallium for advanced technologies, including semiconductors and renewable energy solutions, Rio Tinto’s project represents a significant step forward in diversifying the global supply of this vital resource.

Lyten Begins Lithium Metal Foil Production in the US

Lyten

Lithium-Metal Anode Manufacturing Moves Closer to Full Domestic Supply Chain

Lyten, a US-based battery manufacturer, has officially begun lithium metal foil production to strengthen domestic control of the battery anode supply chain. The company processes lithium metal from a partner's East Coast facility, converting it into battery-grade anodes at its own plant. This development positions Lyten as a key player in reshoring battery component manufacturing.

The process involves manufacturing lithium metal alloys in ingot form, then extruding and rolling them into foils for integration into lithium-metal anodes. Lyten aims to transition all lithium sourcing to within the United States, reducing dependence on South American supply.

Lyten’s Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Avoid Critical Mineral Risks

Lyten claims its Lithium-Sulfur batteries require no nickel, cobalt, manganese, or graphite—materials subject to trade tensions and environmental scrutiny. As a result, the company expects to bypass US tariffs and critical minerals risk, gaining a strategic edge. Lyten also acquired a California battery facility from Northvolt and secured a $650mn letter of intent from the US Export-Import Bank to scale up operations.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Lyten’s domestic lithium foil production signals a pivotal shift toward US battery independence. Its unique Lithium-Sulfur chemistry eliminates key mineral dependencies, offering long-term geopolitical and economic advantages.