Overview

• The Department of Defense awarded $10 million to Nebraska-based Elk Creek Resources Corp. under Title III of the Defense Production Act to develop the Elk Creek polymetallic deposit.
• The funding will enable feasibility-level engineering, additional reserve drilling and updated cost estimates for the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project.
• The project targets domestic production of scandium, niobium and titanium to reduce reliance on foreign sources following Chinese export restrictions.
• Aluminum-scandium alloys produced through the project are expected to enhance strength-to-weight performance in advanced propulsion, hypersonic systems and aircraft components.
• The Elk Creek award is the tenth Title III investment by the DPA Purchases Office in fiscal year 2025, bringing total awards to more than $336 million for domestic mineral supply chain development.