Pentagon launches critical mineral stockpiling plan to safeguard defense supply chain security

Golden Ten Data reported on March 5 that as the United States intensifies efforts to reduce supply chain risks and strengthen domestic reserves of raw materials, the U.S. Department of Defense is seeking information on the stockpiling of five key minerals. According to a notice published on its website Wednesday, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) issued requests for information regarding lithium, nickel, tin, chromium, and tellurium, including details about prospective suppliers, product specifications, material sources, and market conditions. The DLA is responsible for managing the National Defense Stockpile, aiming to ensure the supply of metals needed for U.S. military requirements. The agency stated it is soliciting quotes for potential procurement plans involving 550 tons of lithium carbonate, 3,500 tons of nickel, 1,978 tons of London Metal Exchange-grade tin, 37 tons of tellurium, and 4,500 short tons of chromium. Additionally, the agency is consulting on the reprocessing or remelting of 1,978 tons of tin ingots affected by the "tin plague." Based on LME prices, the cost of this batch of tin is close to 100 millions USD.