Sept 14 (Reuters) - Elmet Group said on Monday one of its units had been awarded a contract worth about $2 billion by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to help rebuild the National Defense Stockpile and strengthen the country's tungsten supply chain.
• The contract, which includes a guaranteed funded commitment of $150 million, covers the supply of tungsten ores, concentrates and sodium tungstate to DLA Strategic Materials.
• Tungsten is a critical mineral used in aerospace and defence equipment
because its extreme heat resistance and hardness allow components to withstand intense temperatures, stress and wear.
• Elmet said it would not begin deliveries to the stockpile until additional supplies secured through mining investments, offtake agreements and processing-capacity expansions become available, in an effort to avoid disrupting supplies to existing U.S. manufacturers.
• The award comes as Washington seeks to secure alternative tungsten supplies amid efforts to reduce reliance on China and Russia, with the critical mineral facing tightening global supply due to Chinese export restrictions and the absence of active U.S. tungsten mines.
• Separately, Elmet said it had secured about $450 million from the U.S. Department of War to accelerate domestic manufacturing expansion and strengthen partnerships across its tungsten supply chain.
• The investment includes an initial $200 million drawdown at closing, with additional funding to follow. In return, the government will receive redeemable preferred equity, warrants representing up to 19.9% of Elmet's common stock on a post-transaction basis, and rights to appoint one independent director and one non-voting board observer.
• The company plans to invest more than $165 million in facilities in Maine, Michigan and Ohio to expand production capacity, increase tungsten output and modernize infrastructure supporting U.S. defense, aerospace and industrial programs.
(Reporting by Katha Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
