The Department of War has invested US$27 million in United States Antimony Corp (NYSEAMERICAN: UAMY) to bolster domestic production of a critical mineral vital for defence applications.
This funding, provided through the Defense Production Act Title III program, supports the excavation, extraction, processing and refinement of antimony. US Antimony is a national leader in this regard, operating the only smelter of scale in the country.
Department of War officials say the aim is to modernize the company’s refining operations in Montana and establish new extraction efforts in Alaska. Doing so will create a fully integrated supply chain from ore to finished products.
The investment aligns with Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14241, which prioritizes American mineral production to mitigate supply chain risks.
“This funding enables UAMY to modernize and expand its refining and production capacity in Thompson Falls, Montana, reinforcing supply chains that support the Defense Industrial Base,” said US Antimony’s Managing Director of Government Affairs, Damian Coleman, “including munitions and military electronics as well as domestic manufacturing applications such as flame retardants and batteries.”
This latest allocation builds directly on prior government commitments to U.S. Antimony and similar firms in the sector. The company recently secured a US$245 million five-year supply contract from the Defense Logistics Agency for antimony ingots. This major deal has helped propel the refiner and processor’s ongoing 500 per cent expansion of its Montana smelter.
Broader efforts include US$43.4 million awarded to Nova Minerals Ltd (OTCMKTS: NVAAF) (FRA: QM3) (ASX: NVA) for accelerating its Estelle project in Alaska, focusing on antimony trisulfide for ammunition.
The latest capital injection also follows Perpetua Resources Corp (TSE: PPTA) (NASDAQ: PPTA) receiving an additional US$6.9 million to advance its Stibnite gold-antimony project in Idaho last year, supplementing US$75 million in earlier funding for a pilot plant producing military-grade antimony trisulfide.
These investments reflect a strategic push to reduce reliance on foreign sources like China, Russia and Tajikistan.
Read more: NevGold’s stock growth secures junior spot on 2026 TSX Venture 50 list
Outlook for American antimony market amid Iran conflict
Analysts project ample global antimony supply in 2026 with expanding capacity in Southeast Asia offsetting potential disruptions. Yet, demand from defence and critical industries continues to fuel U.S. government involvement.
Flame retardants, photovoltaic glass and defence applications drive consumption, while lower prices slow substitutions.
The ongoing conflict in Iran heightens risks. This was showcased by the Pentagon seeking fresh supplies of 13 critical minerals just a day before U.S.-Israeli strikes, underscoring vulnerabilities in import-dependent chains dominated by China.
Although antimony was not listed, similar export controls on related minerals amplify concerns, prompting stockpiling and domestic sourcing.
U.S. producers and developers could capture growing market share if tensions disrupt Middle Eastern trade routes or allied supplies, boosting prices and investment in secure alternatives.
https://t.co/PiqQpVIrMu pic.twitter.com/Wc1e0B0um7
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) March 4, 2026
United States hosts promising development projects
A select group of junior miners have been actively developing antimony projects across the U.S., positioning themselves for growth. Nevada, in particular, is one of the most promising regions for the strategic mineral.
NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) leads with its Limousine Butte project in the state. Recent drilling at this site uncovered high-grade oxide gold-antimony within the property’s Bullet Zone, including 5.89 per cent antimony over 3 metres within broader intercepts. The company expands its footprint through staking and targets a mineral resource estimate by late 2026.
Additionally, Military Metals Corp (CNSX: MILI) (OTCMKTS: MILIF) (FRA: QN90) and Global Tactical Metals Corp (CNSX: MONI) (FRA: A7F) are junior operators aggressively pursuing antimony in Nevada, leveraging favourable pricing to advance exploration amid heightened domestic demand.
These firms could benefit significantly from geopolitical tensions and escalating conflicts. As disputes in regions like Iran strain global supplies, government funding and stockpiling initiatives prioritize domestic projects. This could lead to accelerated permitting, financing and eventual production.
Read more: NevGold discovers transformational oxide gold-antimony structure at Limousine Butte
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