January 23, 2026: Africa-focused lithium mining developer Elektros is in talks aimed at shipping hard-rock lithium from its project in Sierra Leone to the US.

Elektros said on January 22 it had started discussions with international freight and logistics providers to evaluate transport methods to help the firm become a major battery material supplier to the US.

Talks are focused on reliability, speed, cost efficiency, and regulatory compliance, the company said.

Elektros said its hard-rock lithium project in Sierra Leone positions the company at the forefront of supplying critical raw materials into the global battery supply chain.

CEO Shlomo Bleier said: “This is a meaningful milestone for Elektros. It reflects the progress we are making and the confidence we have in our lithium project. This moment represents a compelling opportunity not only for our company, but for investors around the world who want to participate in the future of clean energy, electrification, and responsible resource development.”

The Trump administration has been ramping up US efforts to become as self-sufficient as possible in battery materials production and processing to power energy-hungry industries in the country.

Batteries International reported last April that plans to construct a US lithium extraction facility, to help expand domestic battery material production, had been designated as a federal priority project.

The South West Arkansas Project in Arkansas supports the construction of a site that will produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from lithium-rich brine in North America.

In August, US government pushed for lead be added to the nation’s list of critical minerals.

Last September, the US Geological Survey started airborne surveys over portions of the Blue Mountains in California and adjacent areas to identify potential sites for the recovery of critical minerals essential to battery manufacturing and other industries.