The U.S. Department of Defense cancels $300 million lithium procurement tender, facing challenges in replenishing critical minerals.

Zhitong Finance APP learned that the U.S. Department of Defense canceled the procurement bidding for strategic reserve lithium, further highlighting the challenges it faces in increasing key mineral supplies. According to an announcement released by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) on Monday, the agency has withdrawn its previous plan to purchase nearly 36 million pounds (approximately 16,000 tons) of battery-grade lithium carbonate, with a maximum contract value of $300 million. DLA did not specify the reason for canceling the bidding.