Guardian Metal Resources plc has signed a collaboration agreement with Oritain Global Limited to establish an inaugural origin fingerprint database for tungsten, setting up provenance verification capabilities for U.S. defense, industry and government consumers.

Under the agreement, Guardian Metal will deliver initial tungsten material samples from its co-flagship Pilot Mountain deposit and past-producing Tempiute operation in Nevada to Oritain. The initiative aims to build a verifiable, domestically sourced supply chain as upcoming procurement rules take effect.

The verification framework aligns with Section 854 of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which establishes defense procurement restrictions starting January 1, 2027. These traceability mandates were further reinforced by Executive Order 14415, signed on July 20, 2026, which restricts sourcing waivers for covered-country materials and orders comprehensive supply chain mapping across U.S. defense procurement.

Guardian Metal is advancing the two Nevada-based assets to support domestic critical mineral supply chains. In July 2025, the U.S. Department of War invested US$6.2 million under Title III of the Defense Production Act in the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Metal Resources (USA) LLC, to support the preliminary feasibility study at Pilot Mountain.

The collaboration builds on broader regional exploration interest across the district, highlighted by VR Resources Ltd reporting drill results from the New Boston project including an upper intercept of 317 metres grading 0.77% copper equivalent from surface with tungsten mineralization.

As the U.S. intensifies its focus on developing domestic supply chains for tungsten, a critical defense material, the ability to scientifically verify the origin of tungsten is becoming an increasingly important differentiator for Guardian Metal and our Nevada-based projects.

This Agreement with Oritain is a meaningful step in building a fully transparent and verifiable tungsten supply chain entirely on U.S. soil and further demonstrates Guardian Metal's commitment to supporting national efforts to reshore critical mineral supply chains.

— Oliver Friesen, CEO of Guardian Metal

Read the full announcement: Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Tungsten Origin Verification Collaboration