Reuters exclusively reported that Miner Liontown Resources (LTR.AX) is speaking with the United States Department of Defense about supplying tantalum from its Australian operations if the U.S. passes a new regulation by year end as expected, its chief executive told Reuters on Thursday. Lining up a tantalum deal with the U.S. defense department would provide the company a crucial endorsement and potentially future funding as it develops its Kathleen Valley lithium mine, seen as one of the most promising deposits of the metal.