SYLACAUGA, Ala., Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — U.S. Critical Minerals, LLC (“USCM” or the “Company”), a privately held U.S. mineral exploration and development company, today announced that it has entered into a binding framework agreement for a merger with Nova Resources LLC (“Nova”) (the “Nova Combination”) in which it already holds a 20% interest and has also entered into two definitive purchase and sale agreements (together, the “McAllister Acquisition”) to acquire the historic McAllister tantalum mine and mineral rights and the associated processing mill in Coosa County, Alabama.

A Strategic American Tantalum Asset & District Scale Critical Minerals Opportunity

The Nova Combination and the McAllister Acquisition represent a major step in USCM’s strategy to restore a secure domestic source of tantalum and advance a broader lithium-cesium-tantalum (“LCT”) pegmatite district in central Alabama.

The McAllister area is a historic source of tantalum production in the United States and was the last significant known tantalum-producing mine in the United States. Between 1989 and 1992, the operation produced approximately 250 tons of tantalum concentrate, approximately half of which was sold to the U.S. National Defense Stockpile. The McAllister deposit and its tantalum-tin mineralization have been studied by the U.S. Geological Survey and Dr. Robert B. Cook, USCM’s Co-Founder and Vice President of Exploration. Dr. Cook identified the deposit’s tantalum potential in the late 1980s and helped advance the operation into production.

Nova holds or controls by lease or option more than 5,000 acres across the Coosa County district in Alabama and has access to extensive historical exploration data. Nova has completed mapping, trenching, sampling and geochemical programs which have outlined an LCT pegmatite system extending across more than 230 square kilometers. Initial drilling has confirmed tantalum and lithium and tantalum, including spodumene-bearing intercepts in the historic McAllister area.

Jesse R. Edmondson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of USCM, said:

“These transactions gives U.S. Critical Minerals a rare combination: a proven American mine, existing processing infrastructure and a large exploration position in a district with demonstrated tantalum, tin and lithium mineralization. McAllister previously supplied the National Defense Stockpile and U.S. industry. We believe it can again become an important part of America’s defense-critical mineral supply chain.”

Advancing the Alabama Tantalum Project

Following closing of the transactions, USCM plans:

  1. To commence a district-wide airborne geophysical survey and a drilling program focused on defining additional tantalum resources; and
  2. To assess the acquired mill and supporting infrastructure and undertake equipment inspections, metallurgical testing, environmental baseline work, engineering and feasibility studies, and regulatory engagement.

The objective is to move with urgency while maintaining the technical discipline needed to define a tantalum reserve and responsibly evaluate and modernize the mill.

With growing support from federal partners and investors for strategic domestic critical mineral assets, McAllister’s existing infrastructure, and Alabama’s predictable permitting environment and strong support for industry, the Company believes the Alabama Tantalum Project offers a meaningful opportunity to expedite the restoring of domestic tantalum production.

Any decision to restart mining or processing will depend on technical results, permitting, financing, market conditions and other customary development considerations.

Tantalum – a U.S. Critical Mineral

Tantalum is designated as a U.S. critical mineral and has emerged as a high-priority material for the U.S. Department of War because of its essential role in defense electronics and advanced military systems. It is used in high-performance capacitors, semiconductors, aerospace, superalloys, medical devices and other advanced technologies. Tantalum concentrate production is concentrated in Africa and the United States currently relies on imports for all of its tantalum concentrate requirements.

Transaction Conditionality and Timeline

The Nova Combination requires the approval of both USCM and Nova shareholders. Subject to shareholder approvals and satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions the transaction is anticipated to close by the end of October 2026.

The McAllister acquisition is expected to close on or before December 31, 2026, subject to payment of the outstanding balance of consideration, the satisfaction or waiver of the other customary closing conditions and any extension agreed by the parties.

About U.S. Critical Minerals

U.S. Critical Minerals, LLC is a privately held U.S. mineral exploration and development company building a portfolio of domestic critical-mineral assets. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Sylacauga, Alabama, the Company focused on supporting secure U.S. supply chains for defense, aerospace, advanced-technology, automotive and energy markets.

For more information, visit uscriticalminerals.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the proposed McAllister Acquisition, the proposed Nova Combination, the anticipated timing and completion of each transaction, technical studies, exploration activities, permitting, financing, potential recommissioning of the mill and possible future development or production of critical minerals. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to geological, technical, regulatory, financial, market and other risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that either transaction will close on the anticipated timetable or at all, or that any exploration, development, recommissioning or production objective will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. USCM undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.


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Lacie Williams
lacie@uscriticalminerals.com
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