ASX-listed Anson Resources’ wholly owned US subsidiary A1 Lithium has been admitted as a member of the US Defence Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC).

The DIBC is a US Department of War- (DoW-) supported consortium managed by Advanced Technology International that facilitates collaboration between government agencies and private industry to accelerate development of strategically important domestic supply chains, including critical minerals and battery materials.

Membership of the DIBC provides A1 Lithium with enhanced access to US federal agencies, including the Department of Energy (DoE) and the DoW, and supports engagement on programmes focused on critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and domestic supply chain resilience, the company states.

A1 Lithium has previously submitted applications under several US DoE grant and funding initiatives, which are currently pending, and continues to actively evaluate additional opportunities aligned with the development of the Green River lithium project, in Utah.

The company says it also recently received positive feedback from the DIBC following submission of a quad chart for its Yellow Cat vanadium/uranium project.

The submission was assessed by the US government and rated “Met”, indicating that the project is technically feasible, responsive to the programme objectives and eligible to progress to the next stage subject to government need and funding availability.

Under the DIBC review process, a “Met” rating signifies that the proposed solution is considered responsive to the problem statement and technically achievable, with the project eligible for future award consideration and potential advancement to submission of a project execution plan, Anson points out.

“Admission into the DIBC represents another important milestone for the company and further strengthens its engagement with key US government initiatives focused on critical minerals and domestic supply chain development.

“Receiving a positive ‘Met’ assessment from the DIBC on our Yellow Cat submission further validates the strategic importance and technical merit of our US-based critical minerals portfolio,” says Anson CEO and executive chairperson Bruce Richardson.

“The Green River lithium project is strategically positioned within the US and aligns strongly with current federal priorities surrounding secure domestic lithium supply. We look forward to continuing discussions with government agencies and industry participants as we advance our projects toward development,” he adds.