Department of Defense and Talon Nickel are partnering to accelerate and expand the company’s efforts to discover and secure additional domestic supply of nickel for the growing U.S. battery manufacturing base and defense-related supply chains. 

As part of the agreement, the Department of Defense will contribute $20.6 million, and Talon will contribute $21,7 million in matching funding on a cost-share basis for 39 months.

“This funding makes clear that domestic supply of nickel is a national security priority,” said Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon. “Congress and the Biden Administration have created powerful new tools to build-up domestic supply of critical minerals required for clean energy systems and national defense.  With this funding, Talon will be able to accelerate our efforts to discover domestic sources of battery grade nickel and help ensure that the United States is not dependent on Russia, China or Chinese companies operating in countries like Indonesia for nickel that is needed in both defense platforms and clean energy systems.”

In a press release, Talon states the endeavor helps challenge Chinese and Russian dominance in supply of nickel for clean energy systems. If successful, it would ensure that nickel produced for U.S. defense requirements and battery supply chains is produced at high labor standards, environmental protections, and participation of indigenous people.

Van Rooyen added, “With this funding comes a responsibility to demonstrate that we can discover the necessary ingredients like nickel required for national defense systems and clean energy while also making sure we protect the environment, create good jobs, engage and listen to communities and seek the participation of tribal sovereign governments and their members.  Our team is ready to show that we can do things differently and achieve each of these objectives. It does not need to be a choice.

Talon is currently exploring the Tamarack Intrusive Complex (TIC) in central Minnesota on a 24-hour-a-day basis with significant recent success. Talon also recently acquired the mineral rights contained in the historic Henry Ford Land package in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan proximate to the only operating nickel mine in the

U.S. Talon is one of the few exploration and mine development companies that has its own in-house teams conducting drilling, geophysical analysis and geologic planning.