Critical Minerals Forum Welcomes Pathfinder Tonopah, Advancing Technology for U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chains

Washington, D.C. – May 28, 2025 – The Critical Minerals Forum (CMF), a DARPA-funded non-profit dedicated to building resilient and diversified critical minerals supply chains, is pleased to announce Pathfinder Tonopah as its newest member. This partnership strengthens CMF’s mission to foster innovative, technology-driven solutions that position the United States as a global leader in critical minerals production, bypassing traditional mining approaches to meet demand for energy and defense applications.

Pathfinder Tonopah, developer of a copper and molybdenum mine in Tonopah, Nevada, leverages proven extraction and processing technologies to produce copper cathode and molybdenum concentrate. This approach ensures operational flexibility with minimal environmental impact.

Pathfinder and its parent company, Pathfinder Development Corporation, are working with partners to catalyze regional processing and deploy new physical traceability technologies. This aligns with CMF’s vision of “leapfrogging” conventional methods to create a secure, domestic supply chain that reduces reliance on foreign sources.

“Competing with China’s dominance in critical minerals requires innovation, not imitation,” said Rob Strayer, President of the Critical Minerals Forum. “Pathfinder Tonopah’s technology-driven approach strengthens our efforts to build a robust, Western-led supply chain.”

Pathfinder Tonopah’s brownfield project, with over 716 million tons of Measured and Indicated Resources, is anticipated to contribute nearly 40 million pounds of copper cathode per year to the U.S. market. The company is well-positioned to scale production to meet growing domestic demand.

“We are excited to welcome Pathfinder Tonopah to the CMF community,” added Strayer. “Pathfinder will contribute to initiatives focused on developing innovative mining techniques, enhancing domestic refining capabilities, and mitigating supply chain risks caused by export restrictions and foreign market volatility.”

For more information about the Critical Minerals Forum, visit cmforum.org. To learn about Pathfinder Tonopah, visit pathfindertonopah.com.