The U.S. Department of the Interior published the Final 2025 Critical Minerals List on November 7, 2025, formally adding boron to the roster of minerals deemed essential for national security and economic growth. 5E Advanced Materials, which is developing the Fort Cady borate and lithium resource in Arizona, is the only advanced‑stage boron project in the United States, and the designation directly supports its commercial ambitions.
Boron is a key input for high‑performance composites, nuclear reactors, batteries, and advanced optics, making it a strategic material for aerospace, defense, and clean‑energy manufacturing. The federal recognition signals that the U.S. government views boron as a critical supply‑chain asset, and it aligns 5E’s project with national priorities for domestic production of high‑value minerals.
The designation unlocks a range of federal support mechanisms. 5E has already secured a $285 million letter of interest from the U.S. Export‑Import Bank, and the “One Big Beautiful Bill” authorizes significant loan capacity for critical‑mineral projects. These tools, combined with the new critical‑mineral status, are expected to accelerate Phase 1 of the Fort Cady project and help finance the company’s planned $435 million commercial facility.
Fort Cady is an in‑situ leaching (ISL) operation that targets colemanite, a borate mineral, and co‑produces lithium. Preliminary feasibility studies project a mine life of 39.5 years for Phase 1, and the project’s advanced‑stage status means that 5E is already close to commercial production.
The critical‑mineral designation reduces 5E’s exposure to international supply‑chain disruptions and positions the company as a primary domestic supplier. It also signals to investors that the company is well‑positioned to capture growing demand from defense and clean‑energy sectors, potentially boosting long‑term revenue and profitability.
Paul Weibel, CEO of 5E, said the designation “validates the strategic importance of boron and reinforces our objective to establish 5E as a trusted U.S. supplier to rapidly expanding high‑growth markets.” He added that the Fort Cady project is uniquely positioned to advance domestic production of boron, an essential input to energy technologies, defense, and high‑performance manufacturing.
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