AE Fuels joins defense industrial consortium for minerals

AE Fuels Corp., a Vancouver-based critical minerals developer, has joined the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium, giving it access to U.S. government and industry contacts as it develops manganese and fluorspar projects.

Membership is expected to help AE Fuels pursue its broader strategy of linking mineral resources from the U.S. and allied countries with processing capabilities, technology, customers, and government partnerships. The company clarified that the membership is not a government contract, funding award, or endorsement.

AE Fuels is currently developing a manganese project in Western Australia and a fluorspar project in New Mexico. The company is prioritizing minerals that are subject to supply-chain concentration and import dependence.

At its South Woodie Woodie project, the company holds an NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource of 11.3 million tonnes grading 15% manganese. Pilot-scale purification work carried out in 2026 achieved manganese extraction rates of 95%–99% and yielded battery-grade high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate crystals within target impurity limits.

Following a gravity survey of 3,839 stations, AE Fuels identified 44 priority drill targets at the Pearana and Pothole prospects in Western Australia, which could help expand its manganese resource base.

At the Fluorite Ridge fluorspar district in New Mexico, AE Fuels is advancing technical, environmental, and stakeholder work, while evaluating opportunities to expand its regional footprint, develop U.S.-based processing, and create higher-value fluorine products.

AE Fuels said its two- to three-year strategy is to advance both assets toward development by progressing manganese processing and establishing Fluorite Ridge as a domestic U.S. fluorspar source. The company is looking for customers, permits, funding, processing partners, and government support.

Chief Executive Gary Lewis said the company sees strategic value in critical minerals that goes beyond the mine itself, and the consortium offers another channel to engage with organizations trying to address weaknesses in the U.S. defense industrial base.

AE Fuels stated that consortium membership does not guarantee it will submit proposals or receive funding, contracts, collaborations, or other awards.

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