The US Department of Defense is requesting information regarding the potential stockpiling of five critical minerals, as Washington intensifies efforts to mitigate supply chain risks and bolster domestic raw material supplies.
On Wednesday, the Defense Logistics Agency posted a notice on its official website seeking details on lithium, nickel, tin, chromium, and tellurium. The inquiry aims to gather information from interested suppliers, including product specifications, material origins, and market conditions. The Defense Logistics Agency is responsible for managing the National Defense Stockpile to ensure the supply of metals required by the US military.
The procurement of metals has become a political priority in the United States. This initiative is designed to reduce dependency. The White House recently announced a $12 billion stockpiling program for the private sector, known as the "Gold Vault Project."
The Defense Logistics Agency stated that the current request is intended to prepare for potential acquisitions, involving 550 metric tons of lithium carbonate, 3,500 metric tons of nickel, 1,978 metric tons of London Metal Exchange (LME)-grade tin, 37 metric tons of tellurium, and 4,500 short tons of chromium. Additionally, the agency is seeking information on the reprocessing or remelting of 1,978 metric tons of tin ingots affected by "tin pest." Based on LME prices, the value of the tin in question is close to $100 million.
The Defense Logistics Agency clarified that these notices are for planning purposes only. The deadline for submitting responses is March 19, and the agency added that companies should not expect feedback on their submissions.
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