Critical Minerals

DISA Technologies Inc. secured $30M in an oversubscribed Series A2 round led by Evok Innovations with a strategic investment from Constellation Technology Ventures. The funding will scale DISA’s High-Pressure Slurry Ablation (HPSA) technology. HPSA enhances critical mineral recovery for mining and cleans up Abandoned Uranium Mine waste, recycling uranium and vanadium. Constellation’s investment highlights uranium remediation, and DISA expects an NRC license decision by September. Valor Equity Partners, Veriten, and Halliburton Labs also participated in the round.

NioCorp CEO Mark Smith will appear on Fox Business Network to discuss a $10 million Pentagon award received by its subsidiary, Elk Creek Resources Corp. The funding, granted under the Defense Production Act, supports the development of a domestic scandium supply chain at the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska. This initiative aims to secure domestic sources of critical minerals and reduce reliance on foreign entities. The project also focuses on producing niobium, titanium, and evaluating rare earth elements.

Nano One Materials Corp. (NNOMF), a Canadian battery tech innovator, leverages its wastewater-free One-Pot™ LFP production technology to address growing global demand beyond China, forecasted to claim 52% of cathode markets by 2035. Recognized by the International Energy Agency, its process bypasses China’s iron sulphate dominance and aligns with G7/EU critical mineral strategies. Despite China’s 95% market control, Nano One’s non-Asian facility and scalable licensing model position it to capitalize on projected 500% demand surge outside China. Challenges include securing partnerships and competing with China’s cost advantages. Policy tailwinds from G7 and Canada-EU initiatives underscore supply chain diversification urgency.

Guardian Metal Resources plc has acquired the Pilot North Tungsten Project, comprising 59 BLM Lode Claims, just 15 km from its flagship Pilot Mountain Project in Nevada. This strategic expansion includes three historical tungsten mines, aiming to re-establish domestic US tungsten production. Initial fieldwork confirms promising skarn mineralization, with assays pending and further geological assessment planned.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. closed the initial tranche of its private placement, raising C$3,479,164 through the sale of units at C$0.23 each. The proceeds will fund exploration at its Stillwater West project in Montana, along with a smaller program at its Kluane project in Yukon. Red Cloud Securities Inc. acted as agent. Glencore Canada will exercise its equity participation rights in the upcoming final tranche.

Clean Air Metals Inc. has released its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025. Key figures include total assets of $37.9 million and a net loss of $3.1 million. The company will hold its Annual General Meeting on July 29, 2025. Clean Air Metals is advancing its Thunder Bay North project and expects to release a new Preliminary Economic Assessment this fall.

5E Advanced Materials (NASDAQ:FEAM) CEO Paul Weibel will present at the Sidoti Micro-Cap Conference (May 21-22, 2025) to showcase the company’s vertically integrated boron/lithium supply chain strategy and DHS-certified Critical Infrastructure status at California’s Fort Cady basin. Highlighting dual exposure to EV magnet demand and lithium battery compounds, 5E aims to attract strategic investors despite operational risks including permitting timelines, untested extraction technologies, and lithium market volatility. Webcast access and management meetings available via Sidoti’s portal; the project positions near U.S. energy metals logistics hubs, aligning with CHIPS Act priorities.