AE Fuels Corp. has joined the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium, giving the Vancouver-based critical minerals developer access to U.S. government and industry participants as it advances manganese and fluorspar projects. The membership supports the company’s strategy of linking U.S. and allied mineral resources with processing, technology, customers and government partnerships, but does not constitute a government contract, funding award or endorsement. AE Fuels is developing the South Woodie Woodie manganese project in Western Australia and the Fluorite Ridge fluorspar district in New Mexico, targeting minerals affected by supply-chain concentration and import dependence. South Woodie Woodie has an NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource of 11.3 million tonnes grading 15% manganese. Pilot-scale purification work in 2026 achieved manganese extraction rates of 95%-99% and produced battery-grade high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate crystals within targeted impurity specifications. A 3,839-station gravity survey identified 44 priority drill targets at the Pearana and Pothole prospects in Western Australia, potentially supporting resource expansion. In New Mexico, the company is advancing technical, environmental and stakeholder work while evaluating a larger regional footprint, U.S.-based processing and higher-value fluorine products. AE Fuels said its two- to three-year strategy is to advance both assets toward development, while seeking customers, permits, funding, processing partnerships and government support. Chief Executive Gary Lewis said the consortium offers another avenue to engage with organizations addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. defense industrial base. Membership does not guarantee that AE Fuels will submit proposals or receive funding, contracts, collaborations or other awards.