American Tungsten & Antimony (ASX:AT4) has joined the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), gaining access to US defense programs and advancing its antimony and tungsten strategy amid a growing focus on secure domestic critical mineral supply chains, according to a Friday Australian bourse filing.

The company, through the consortium, gains access to Department of War programs, funding opportunities, and defense partnerships to advance domestic processing and strengthen supply chains in line with national security priorities, per the filing.

The company also stated that over 50 DIBC-related projects have already secured about $410 million in funding, including roughly $39 million this year, highlighting strong government support, the filing said.

The company will host a government-level critical minerals event in Utah on May 15, bringing together senior US officials, state leaders, and industry stakeholders, the filing added.

The company's shares rose 12% in recent Friday trade.