Disseminated on behalf of Capacitor Metals Corp. and Zimtu Capital Corp.
The global critical minerals landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. In the wake of aggressive U.S. tariffs that have sent shockwaves through global markets, countries and corporations alike are scrambling to rewire supply chains. As global tensions, trade wars, and ethical concerns disrupt traditional sources of tantalum, the European Union is taking decisive steps to diversify its critical mineral supply.
In a move that underscores both the urgency and the opportunity in this space, Capacitor Metals Corp., a private Canadian company with plans to go public, has secured 178,000 EUR in grant funding from Horizon Europe – the EU’s flagship 95.5 billion EUR research and innovation program – to contribute ethically sourced tantalum to the EU-funded BLOOM Critical Materials Program.
As confidence in U.S. macroeconomic leadership wanes, Capacitor Metals is seeing strong interest from major players in Japan, China, and the EU, all seeking stable, conflict-free sources of tantalum – a metal essential to electronics, defense systems, and green tech. This sudden pivot away from traditional supply hubs is no coincidence. Industry is waking up to the deep, self-inflicted consequences of the U.S. tariff regime – and exploring alternatives that make far more sense in a globally interdependent economy.
According to today´s press-release, the EU funding supports Capacitor’s shipment of ~1 metric tonne of mineralized materials from its Upper Fir Deposit in British Columbia to Barcelona, Spain. There, scientists at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) will use the samples in research aimed at developing next-generation mineral processing technologies that make tantalum extraction cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable. This partnership comes at a pivotal time for the global tantalum market – and for investors paying attention to the strategic transformation unfolding within it.
A New Global Order For Strategic Resources
The imposition of sweeping U.S. tariffs on a wide range of industrial imports has accelerated a decoupling that was already in motion. Stock markets have reacted sharply, supply chains are in flux, and trust in Washington’s macroeconomic strategy is eroding across both allied and non-aligned nations.
The consequences are already visible in the critical materials sector – particularly in metals like tantalum, which are essential to electronics, energy storage, aerospace, and defense. In this climate of uncertainty, the importance of supply chain sovereignty has reached new heights, and countries are urgently realigning their sourcing strategies.
Capacitor Metals, based in British Columbia, has been seeing active interest from major international companies across the EU, Japan, and China – all of whom are reevaluating their exposure to conflict-prone or politically vulnerable suppliers. The message is clear: In an era of trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, the world is no longer willing to gamble on unstable supply chains when strategic minerals are at stake.
Why Tantalum Matters: And Why Europe Is Taking Action
Tantalum is a critical ingredient in modern electronics, prized for its ability to store and release energy efficiently. It’s found in everything from smartphones and EVs to aerospace and defense systems as well as medical devices. Yet, despite its growing importance, tantalum’s supply chain remains fragile and highly concentrated.
Roughly 60-70% of global tantalum production originates from Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This region has long been flagged for issues around ethical sourcing, including child labor, conflict-financing, and environmental damage. According to the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.), political instability in the DRC – worsened by the rise of the M23 armed group – is now threatening both the availability and the legitimacy of global tantalum supplies.
T.I.C. President Silvana Fehling recently issued a warning: “The continued incursions by the M23, their control of mine sites and trade routes, in combination with the undisciplined approach of the DRC government, does not bode well for the expectation of a reasonable solution any time soon.”
As Europe works toward greater economic and technological sovereignty – especially in light of increasing global geopolitical tensions – the need to diversify and secure ethically sourced critical materials has never been more urgent. Horizon Europe and projects like BLOOM are key to addressing this challenge by investing in research which will strengthen domestic and friendly-country supply chains.
The BLOOM Project (formally titled "BLOOM: Beneficiation of Low-grade Ores using Online-sensor-based Methodologies") is led by Dr. Josep Oliva at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of 14 partners from 6 countries across Europe, aiming to advance real-time ore characterization technologies and enhance mineral processing efficiencies for critical raw materials (CRMs).
Capacitor Metals: Supplying Ethical, Western-Source Tantalum
Capacitor Metals is positioning itself as a Western, conflict-free alternative to DRC-sourced tantalum. As a member of the T.I.C., the company actively supports initiatives to improve transparency and compliance in the supply chain, including the development of Enhanced Due Diligence Guidelines (EHDD) with consultancy KUMI.
Capacitor Metals´ contribution to the BLOOM Project includes approximately 20 kg of drill core, 220 kg of pulverized ore, and 820 kg of crushed rock from its Upper Fir Tantalum-Niobium Deposit. Located on the company’s Blue River Property in British Columbia, the deposit is one of the most advanced tantalum projects globally.
The Upper Fir Deposit has been the subject of extensive exploration, with over $34 million invested to date, including 271 drill holes totaling more than 59,000 m. The deposit boasts a significant historical resource estimate. A historical Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) has already been completed, and Capacitor Metals is planning to update its economic outlook using insights gained from the BLOOM program’s advanced technologies.
Chris Grove, President of Capacitor Metals, commented on the importance of this collaboration: "It is our pleasure to be providing source material for this important work program led by the UPC on improved sensing and processing of tantalum focused ore bodies. Our positive economics for the Upper Fir Deposit (2011, Amec, Updated 2015, Amec, Foster, Wheeler) were based upon standard processing and we look forward to incorporating any optimizations realized by the BLOOM project in our next economic report."
By integrating Capacitor’s ethically sourced materials into their research, the BLOOM Project scientists aim to improve how tantalum and other critical materials are liberated and processed – making extraction more selective, less wasteful, and environmentally friendlier. The results could lead to the construction of a European pilot plant that employs these innovations, further reducing the EU’s reliance on imports from high-risk regions.
Dr. Josep Oliva and his team at the ProMineral Lab at UPC are focused on developing scalable solutions for processing of complex ores – solutions that combine mineralogical analysis with real-time sensing and innovative separation methods. Their work is crucial in helping Europe meet its Green Deal goals and industrial sustainability targets.
Ethical Sourcing As A Competitive Advantage
Capacitor’s project stands out not only for its scale and readiness, but also for its location in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with robust environmental and social standards. With increasing scrutiny on the provenance of critical minerals – from regulators, industries, and consumers alike – the company’s advanced-stage project offers a compelling alternative to less transparent sources.
By participating in BLOOM, Capacitor Metals is also reinforcing its alignment with the EU’s vision for a secure, sustainable, and ethical supply chain for critical materials. The collaboration signals growing interest from European institutions in forming strategic partnerships with reliable, Western-aligned suppliers outside the EU.
Europe is acting decisively, and through partnerships like this one with Capacitor Metals, it is building a new foundation for resilience. For the tantalum industry – and for those watching its transformation – this moment is more than a supply chain pivot. It’s a wake-up call and an opportunity.
Conclusion
The Horizon Europe funding awarded to Capacitor Metals underscores the rising importance of securing ethical and dependable sources of critical minerals. As global demand for tantalum continues to rise – driven by the expansion of the tech, defense, and green energy sectors – partnerships like this one are poised to shape the future of supply chains in Europe and beyond. Capacitor Metals is not just supplying material to a research project – it is helping to lay the foundation for a more transparent and resilient global economy.
Trade wars and geopolitical rivalries are accelerating the end of the era of cheap, convenient, and ethically questionable mineral sourcing. In its place, a new global supply order is emerging – one where ethics, transparency, and alignment with rule-of-law jurisdictions matter just as much as tonnage and grade. Capacitor Metals’ partnership with Horizon Europe is more than just a research collaboration. It’s a signal that the world is actively redefining how and where its most critical resources come from. And for those paying attention – investors, manufacturers, and governments alike – that’s a shift worth acting on.
An Investment Opportunity: While Capacitor Metals is still a private company, it is actively preparing for a public listing. In the meantime, investors can participate through an open private placement financing. The company is positioning itself as one of the lowest-cost, most ethically sourced producers of tantalum globally. For investors looking to align with long-term trends in ethical sourcing, clean tech, and Western supply chain security, Capacitor offers a compelling entry point.
Rockstone and Capacitor Metals Corp. note that the BLOOM (GA 101177962) project is funded by the European Union, and, except as otherwise noted, statements expressed in this news release are those of Rockstone and Capacitor Metals Corp. and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Previous Rockstone Coverage
Report #3: “Tantalum in Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for Global Supply Chains, A Strategic Opportunity for Investors" (WEB / DEUTSCH)
Report #2: “Industry leader in tantalum joins Capacitor Metals Corp.: Advancing into production a new source of tantalum for the world market“ (WEB / PDF / DEUTSCH)
Report #1: “Capacitor Metals: Big plans for one of the world‘s biggest deposits of tantalum and niobium“ (WEB / PDF / DEUTSCH)
Company Details
Capacitor Metals Corp.
Suite 1450 – 789 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1H2 Canada
Phone: +1 604 484 2700
Email: info@capacitormetals.com
www.capacitormetals.com
Canadian Symbol: Not Listed
German Symbol / WKN: Not Listed
Contact:
www.rockstone-research.com
Capacitor Metals News-Disclaimer: Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding future events. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the Company is specifically focused on the development of its Blue River tantalum and niobium deposit in British Columbia; statements regarding the anticipated receipt of the balance of grant funds from Horizon Europe; statements regarding the BLOOM project’s goals; statements regarding an interest in locating and financing the construction of a pilot project; and statements that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost, ethically sourced tantalum-niobium producers globally. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include economic, competitive, governmental, environmental, and technological factors that may affect the Company’s operations, markets, products, and prices. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially may include misinterpretation of data; that we may not be able to get equipment or labour as we need it; that we may not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete our intended exploration and development; that our applications to drill may be denied; that weather, logistical problems or hazards may prevent us from exploration; that equipment may not work as well as expected; that analysis of data may not be possible accurately and at depth; that results which we or others have found in any particular location are not necessarily indicative of larger areas of our properties; that we may not complete environmental programs in a timely manner or at all; that market prices for tantalum & niobium may not justify commercial production costs; and that despite encouraging data there may be no commercially exploitable mineralization on our properties.
Rockstone Disclaimer: This report and the referenced news-release from Capacitor Metals Corp. contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Rockstone Research, Capacitor Metals Corp. and Zimtu Capital Corp. caution investors that any forward-looking information provided herein is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to Capacitor Metals Corp.´s public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The cover image has been obtained by openai. Please read the full disclaimer within the full research report as a PDF (see here) as fundamental risks and conflicts of interest exist. The author, Stephan Bogner, holds an equity position in Capacitor Metals Corp., as well as equity of Zimtu Capital Corp., and thus will profit from volume and price appreciation of those stocks (Capacitor Metals Corp. is a private company not listed on a stock exchange at this date). The author is being paid by Zimtu Capital Corp. for the preparation, publication and distribution of this report, whereas Zimtu Capital Corp. holds an equity position of Capacitor Metals Corp. and thus will profit from volume and price appreciation if the featured company will be listed on a stock exchange. Note that Capacitor Metals Corp. pays Zimtu Capital Corp. to provide this report and other investor awareness services. The cover picture has been sourced from here.
