M2i Global Inc. (OTC: MTWO) and Volato Group Inc. (NYSE American: SOAR) secured an agreement to develop a critical mineral repository at the 150,000-acre Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada, aiming to create a domestic supply hub for materials like gallium and copper.
"The project will revitalize the Hawthorne region, create high-quality jobs, and bring investment to support national security through a localized, efficient supply chain," M2i Global CEO, Major General (Ret.) Alberto Rosende, said in a statement.
The repository is designed to integrate storage, refining, and distribution at the world's largest ammunition facility, which includes over 2,000 munitions bunkers. The project is part of a proposed merger between M2i and Volato, which seeks to combine M2i's mineral supply chain platform with Volato's software and technology expertise.
The move aims to address the estimated $320 billion annual US market for critical minerals, securing domestic supply chains for defense, semiconductor, and clean energy applications. The project's development at a federally controlled site with existing rail infrastructure signals a strategic step toward localizing essential industrial inputs.
Under the Tenant Use Agreement, M2i Global will establish a Critical Mineral Repository (CMR) to store, refine, and distribute minerals essential for US defense and industrial leadership. The focus will be on materials such as gallium, used in semiconductors; graphite, critical for electric vehicle batteries; and copper, a key component in nearly all electronics.
The Hawthorne Army Depot provides a secure and strategic location, spanning nearly 150,000 acres with over 400 buildings and significant existing infrastructure. The initiative received support from the Nevada state government for its potential economic impact.
"Nevada has an abundance in critical minerals and this project presents an opportunity to drive innovation and economic opportunities across our state and beyond," said Tom Burns, Executive Director of The Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). "We look forward to working closely with M2i Global to best source, secure and stockpile the supply chain of critical minerals that is vital to our national security."
The agreement comes as M2i Global and Volato advance a proposed merger announced in the second quarter of 2025. The combination is designed to create a vertically integrated player in the critical infrastructure market. M2i provides the platform focused on mineral supply chain resilience, while Volato contributes its technology and software capabilities, including its Parslee Document Intelligence platform.
Together, the merged entity plans to leverage Volato's software expertise to bring greater transparency and traceability to the complex mineral supply chains, addressing a key challenge in the sector. The combined company will be positioned to compete in a market where domestic sourcing and execution are becoming strategic national priorities.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
