Allied Critical Metals Inc. (ACM:CSE; ACMIF:OTCQB; 0VJ0:FSE) announces the appointments of both former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James A. "Spider" Marks to the board of directors of its new wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Allied Critical Metals (USA) Inc.
Allied Critical Metals Inc. (ACM:CSE; ACMIF:OTCQB; 0VJ0:FSE) announced the appointments of both former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James A. "Spider" Marks to the board of directors of its new wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Allied Critical Metals (USA) Inc.
In her role, Nielsen will offer strategic guidance to Allied USA, which focuses on the importation, marketing, and distribution of tungsten across key U.S. sectors from its 100%-owned past producing Borralha and Vila Verde tungsten projects in northern Portugal, the company said.
Her appointment coincides with the company's increased collaboration with U.S. government agencies and defense partners to secure a domestic supply of critical materials essential for national security, the company noted in a release.
In an interview with Streetwise Reports, Allied Critical Metals Chief Executive Officer Roy Bonnell said that from a military perspective, tungsten, which is used to make heavy metal alloys for armaments and composites to substitute for lead in bullets and shot, "is really irreplaceable."
"There's no armament without tungsten, no ballistics, and no missiles," Bonnell said.
Tungsten is also used to make heat sinks, and high-density applications, such as weights and counterweights; superalloys for turbine blades; tool steels; and wear-resistant alloy parts and coatings.
As much as 85% of the world's tungsten is coming from China, which he said is a "real vulnerability" for the U.S.
"Secretary Nielsen brings deep expertise in homeland security, public policy, and critical infrastructure," said Bonnell. "Her insights into federal operations, supply chain resilience, and defense readiness will be invaluable as we position ACM as a trusted partner in strengthening America's access to strategic minerals like tungsten."
Nielsen served as the sixth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2017 to 2019, where she led initiatives to protect the homeland from evolving threats, including cyberattacks, terrorism, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
She previously held roles as principal deputy chief of staff to the president and chief of staff at DHS and was a senior advisor under the George W. Bush administration, where she contributed to shaping national preparedness policy following the 9/11 attacks, Allied noted in its release.
Beyond her government service, Nielsen has held leadership positions in the private sector, including as president of a consulting firm specializing in risk management and resilience. She has advised Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and global organizations on security, strategic response, and continuity of operations.
"I am honored to join Allied Critical Metals at such a pivotal time," Nielsen said. "Securing the domestic supply of critical materials like tungsten is essential to national security, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. I look forward to supporting Allied USA's efforts to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and advance its mission."
Marks is the former commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center. He brings over 40 years of leadership experience spanning military, intelligence, and commercial sectors, the company said.
His U.S. Army career included leadership roles in elite units such as the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, as well as strategic intelligence positions worldwide, including deployments in Iraq, Korea, and the Balkans.
After his military service, he held executive leadership positions in the private sector, including CEO roles at Global Linguist Solutions and InVisM, and he currently serves as president of the Marks Collaborative, an advisory firm focused on corporate transformation and national security.
He is an Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army's Ranger School, a Master Parachutist with Canadian airborne wings, and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and multiple expeditionary and service ribbons.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1975 and holds a Master's degree in International Affairs from the University of Virginia. Marks also contributes as a military and intelligence analyst for CNN and is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
"General Marks is a highly respected leader with unparalleled expertise in global defense, logistics, and strategy," Bonnell noted. "His appointment strengthens our U.S. operations at a pivotal time, as we expand our presence in the American tungsten market. His insight and network will be invaluable in helping Allied USA meet growing demand for this critical material."
Earlier this month, the company revealed two major updates: its inclusion in the OTCQB and the establishment of a new subsidiary in the United States. These initiatives are part of the firm's strategy to expand in North America and highlight its dedication to providing tungsten and other essential minerals to American clients.
Trading on the OTCQB began for Allied on July 28, under the ticker ACMIF, marking a key milestone, the company said. The OTCQB, known as the Venture Market, represents the intermediate level of the over-the-counter market for U.S. equities. Companies must meet certain criteria to be listed, including a commitment to transparency and financial disclosure.
"We expect U.S. investors will be a big part of the company's success as we move forward," Bonnell said in the announcement.
Allied Critical Metals said it has also introduced a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Allied Critical Metals (USA) Inc., or Allied USA, based in Nashville, Tennessee. This new entity, led by a team with significant industry knowledge and market understanding, is tasked with importing, marketing, and distributing high-quality tungsten products to various U.S. industries such as defense, aerospace, electronics, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The launch of Allied USA is timely, as the U.S. is actively seeking a stable and reliable tungsten supply chain. According to ARANCA on June 4, China produces 81% of the global tungsten supply and has limited exports to the U.S. Currently, there are no commercially active tungsten mines in the U.S., as reported by Mining.com on July 25. Given tungsten's critical importance to the U.S., Canada, and several other regions, Allied USA is strategically positioned to become a trusted partner for U.S. manufacturers and government contractors, as highlighted in the announcement.
"The United States is a cornerstone market for tungsten, and Allied USA will allow us to serve our customers more directly with enhanced supply chain efficiency and superior product quality," Bonnell added.
The company also announced that its common shares are now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through The Depository Trust Co. (DTC) in the U.S., a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. that handles electronic clearing and settlement for publicly traded firms.
For investors, this change simplifies trading and boosts liquidity by speeding up settlement times and reducing trading costs. For Allied, it increases accessibility in U.S. capital markets.
Based in Vancouver, Allied Critical Metals is a mining company working to expand and revitalize its fully owned, previously operational Borralha tungsten project and the Vila Verde tungsten-tin project, both located in the mining-friendly region of northern Portugal, according to the company's corporate presentation.
With both projects in the exploration phase, the company recently appointed V?tor Arezes as vice president of exploration, as noted in a June 24 announcement. Arezes brings 14 years of experience in geological exploration, project development, mining operations, and project evaluation both in Portugal and internationally. He has held various technical and leadership positions in exploration and mining companies, with a strong focus on tungsten, tin, other critical minerals, and precious metals.
The global tungsten market is expected to experience positive growth over the next several years, driven by increasing demand and limited supply. Lara Smith, an analyst and CEO of Core Consultants, noted in a May 19 article that "the tungsten market is poised for structural tightness through 2030, with prices likely stabilizing at elevated levels."
Smith identified key factors such as ongoing military restocking, rising industrial demand with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.3% through 2029, limited new supply from greenfield projects, and China's resource depletion and strategic use of supply for political leverage.
As of July 25, the European price for ammonium paratungstate (APT), the standard tungsten product, has increased by 43.2% year-to-date, reaching US$460-485 per ton, according to Chinatungsten. Industry participants are optimistic about future market conditions, as reported by John Zadeh in a July 16 Discovery Alert article.
Grand View Research projects that the global tungsten market will grow to at least 2033, expanding from US$1.85 billion in 2024 to US$2.84 billion, reflecting a 4.7% CAGR. In the U.S., the tungsten market is expected to grow at a 3.9% CAGR during the same period.
However, global tungsten production faces challenges such as the depletion of high-grade reserves, permitting delays, processing bottlenecks, and environmental restrictions, as reported by Zadeh on July 17. In China, which leads global new supply, production decreased by 12% year over year in Q2/25. Other supply constraints include ore suppliers intentionally holding back inventory, upstream suppliers prioritizing long-term contracts, and many APT producers focusing solely on contract deliveries without offering spot market quotes.
"This combination of supply-side constraints has created an increasingly tight market where even moderate demand can trigger significant price movements," Zadeh noted. "The reluctance of suppliers to release material into the spot market has exacerbated the price discovery process, leading to sharper daily fluctuations."
Meanwhile, demand for tungsten remains strong, Smith noted. The industrial and mining/construction sectors are driving demand due to the use of tungsten carbide in drilling equipment, wear-resistant machinery, and cutting tools. Military applications, such as armor-piercing munitions, tank armor, and rocket components, significantly contribute to defense sector demand. Other industries consuming tungsten include transportation, chemicals/pharmaceuticals, energy, and consumer durables.
John Newell of John Newell & Associates took a look at Allied and shared the following with Streetwise Reports.
He said, "Allied Critical Metals is establishing a new uptrend from a fresh listing, with clear support at higher lows and a defined initial target at CA$0.45. The limited trading history means patterns are still forming, but so far the setup looks constructive: a healthy pullback to support, light-volume consolidation, and a defined uptrend line guiding price higher. If the CA$0.32-CA$0.33 support area holds, the chart favors another leg higher toward the CA$0.45 target. Therefore, based on this current pullback, we rate the shares a Speculative Buy with a potential first target of approximately CA$0.45. A break below that support would suggest a pause or deeper retracement before the trend resumes."
Insiders own approximately 15% of Allied, according to the company. About 25% is held by institutions and institutional investors and the rest is held by retail shareholders.
The company has 110.11 million common shares issued and outstanding and 134.05 million common shares on a fully diluted basis. Approximately 39.5 million are considered part of the public float and are available for trading. Its market cap is CA$38.71 million. Its 52-week range is CA$0.20-0.40 per share.
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Allied Critical Metals Inc. has a consulting relationship with Street Smart an affiliate of Streetwise Reports. Street Smart Clients pay a monthly consulting fee between US$8,000 and US$20,000.As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Allied Critical Metals Inc.Steve Sobek wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.For additional disclosures, please click here.