5E Advanced Materials Supports Congressional Push to Include Boron in 2025 Critical Minerals List

A bipartisan group of Members has written to the U.S. Geologic Survey in support of including boron in the agency’s next Critical Minerals List

HESPERIA, Calif., Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: FEAM) (ASX: 5EA) (“5E” or the “Company”), a boron and lithium company with U.S. government Critical Infrastructure designation for its 5E Boron Americas (Fort Cady) Complex, articulated its support for the bipartisan effort in Congress to include boron in the U.S. Geologic Survey’s (USGS) 2025 Critical Mineral List.

On January 26^th, Representatives Jay Obernolte (CA-23) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), along with eight other Members, petitioned Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and USGS Director David Applegate, encouraging them to recognize boron as a critical mineral. The letter recognizes the significance of boron and its derivatives across multiple industries, including energy and defense systems, and the importance of boron in meeting U.S. clean energy goals.

“We thank Congressmen Obernolte and Panetta for their leadership in this effort,” said J.T. Starzecki, Chief Marketing Officer of 5E Advanced Materials. “These Members and their colleagues recognize the urgency and strategic importance of establishing a secure, domestic boron supply to meet the growing demand across the energy and defense industries.”

In their letter, the Congressional leaders note that, “Boron, known for its strength, stability, and light weight, is a vital material with limited substitutes in critical applications. As one of the most versatile materials in the world, boron is used in over 300 applications that enable our way of life, including permanent magnets, electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, glass, fertilizers, body/vehicle armor, weapons systems, aerospace ceramics, and pharmaceuticals.” The letter goes on to encourage USGS to “consider boron's unique properties and criticality to national security and clean energy goals, especially as demand for these supply chains grows.”

“Our country’s supply chains are in a precarious position, with many of them mostly, or even entirely, dependent on other countries,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “As one of the most versatile materials in the world, boron is used in over 300 applications that enable our way of life. Including boron in the USGS Critical Minerals List would help ensure that the U.S. is not dependent on China for boron and would safeguard its utilization as a critical material. It is imperative that the USGS take action to secure a domestic supply chain for boron and its derivatives.”