Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NCMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) is pleased to announce that Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho") has been selected as the successful bidder in the public tender process conducted by Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC") and will join the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project as part of JOGMEC's ownership interest.
Toyota Tsusho is the global trading and industrial supply chain arm of the Toyota Group and one of Japan's largest trading houses. The company plays a central role in securing strategic materials for the automotive, energy transition and advanced technology sectors. Toyota Tsusho owns a Rare Earth Separation & Refinery facility in India which has been operating for over 10 years.
The introduction of Toyota Tsusho as a strategic partner further strengthens the industrial foundation of the Lofdal Project and enhances its position as a future supplier of dysprosium and terbium - two of the most critical and supply-constrained rare earth elements required for high-performance permanent magnets.
Strategic Highlights:
Industrial Anchor Partner Added with Direct Off-take Options:
Toyota Tsusho brings global supply chain capabilities, downstream market access and deep experience in critical mineral development. The company operates rare earth processing and manufacturing facilities in India.
Alignment with Japanese Industrial Demand:
The participation of both JOGMEC and Toyota Tsusho strengthens Lofdal's strategic alignment with Japanese industry's long-term requirements for secure heavy rare earth supply.
Enhanced Development Pathway:
The addition of a major industrial partner provides increased confidence in the project's pathway toward development, financing and future commercialization.
Positioning Lofdal as a Global Heavy Rare Earth Supply Hub:
The Lofdal Project represents one of the most significant dysprosium and terbium rich deposits outside of China and is strategically positioned to support global magnet supply chains.
Darrin Campbell, President of Namibia Critical Metals, stated:
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Toyota Tsusho as a strategic partner in the Lofdal project through JOGMEC's public tender process. Toyota Tsusho is a globally respected leader in building supply chains for critical materials and advanced technologies.
Toyota Tsusho's participation represents a major strategic milestone for the Lofdal project. Few rare earth development projects globally benefit from the combination of government strategic support and industrial supply chain leadership that this partnership represents. This strengthens the pathway for Lofdal to become a long-term supplier of critical heavy rare earth elements to global markets."
Toyota Tsusho Comment:
"Toyota Tsusho is pleased to join the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project together with JOGMEC and Namibia Critical Metals. We look forward to supporting the development of the project to secure a sustainable supply for Japanese Rare Earth Magnet supply-chain."
Source: www.namibiacriticalmetals.com
Aleksei Andrievskii is the founder of the ANDRIEVSKII SEA WEALTH family office in Cyprus, a member of the advisory board at Bendura Bank AG, Liechtenstein