Victory Metals Secures US Backing for Critical Rare Earths Project in Western Australia

Key Highlights:

• Victory receives non-binding Letter of Interest from EXIM Bank for up to US$190 million
• Funding targets development of North Stanmore Rare Earths, Scandium and Hafnium Project
• U.S. support underscores the project’s strategic value amid global rare earths supply tensions
• Shares in Victory Metals poised for potential uplift on investor optimism

Sydney, 23 April 2025 — In a landmark move that strengthens Australia’s standing in the global race for critical minerals, Victory Metals Ltd (ASX: VTM) has secured a significant expression of support from the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM). The non-binding Letter of Interest (LOI), worth up to US$190 million (A$292 million), is aimed at advancing the company’s flagship North Stanmore Heavy Rare Earths, Scandium and Hafnium Project in Western Australia.

Victory Metals’ stock has recently traded in an active range, reflecting investor appetite for rare earths exposure. As global demand intensifies and supply chains remain under geopolitical pressure, particularly with China’s dominance, the U.S. government’s involvement could reshape the strategic trajectory of Australia’s emerging critical mineral sector.

The LOI outlines a potential 15-year financing structure. While still subject to standard due diligence and eligibility checks, the proposal places Victory in an exclusive tier of Australian developers attracting foreign government-backed funding. What’s especially notable is the prospect of the loan being issued under EXIM’s China and Transformational Exports Program (CTEP), designed to counter foreign dominance in key supply chains.

“This is a major milestone for Victory and a clear signal of the strategic importance of our project not only to Australia but to our allies abroad,” said CEO Brendan Clark. “Support from EXIM… is a powerful endorsement of the technical and geopolitical strength of our project.”

The North Stanmore Project, located in WA’s Cue Region, contains heavy rare earths (HREEs) vital to high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence systems, as well as scandium and hafnium—materials essential for next-gen alloys and advanced semiconductors.

With a growing shift toward decoupling critical supply chains from China, Victory’s project is increasingly positioned as a potential cornerstone in the West’s rare earths strategy. If full financing is secured, the company could accelerate development timelines and bolster engagement with major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), defence contractors, and other downstream partners.

The announcement also arrives at a time of buoyant sentiment in the commodities market, with rare earths gaining renewed attention from policymakers and ESG-conscious investors alike. Coupled with a tightening global supply narrative, today’s news offers a compelling opportunity for Victory Metals to move from junior explorer to strategic supplier.

The ASX-listed company now stands at the forefront of a shifting global landscape—where critical materials are not just economic assets but geopolitical tools.