Stardust Power Inc. has taken another step toward building a domestic lithium refinery network, announcing it has signed a Letter of Intent with Mandrake Resources Limited to secure up to 7,500 metric tons per year of lithium carbonate equivalent in the form of lithium chloride from Mandrake’s Utah Lithium Project.

The long-term supply will feed directly into Stardust Power’s planned facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma, providing a U.S.-sourced stream of feedstock as the company moves toward its Final Investment Decision and the start of major construction.

“We see strong strategic alignment between Mandrake’s Utah Lithium Project and our vision for a fully integrated American lithium supply chain,” said Pablo Cortegoso, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder of Stardust Power. He noted that the Utah project is “a well-positioned U.S. brine asset with a clear path to development, offering scale, access to existing infrastructure, and a large brine resource that could be advanced efficiently with limited capital intensity.” Cortegoso added that supportive federal policy and regulatory stability make Utah “one of the most compelling jurisdictions for lithium growth.”

Stardust Power’s Muskogee refinery is being designed as a central hub capable of processing multiple chloride inputs from different suppliers. Lithium chloride from Mandrake would be delivered via established transport routes to the nearby Port of Muskogee. The model is intended to give the company supply flexibility, ensure consistent output, and allow additional suppliers to be integrated as new U.S. lithium sources come online.

The Letter of Intent covers a 12-year term with an optional six-year extension, potentially securing up to 18 years of supply. The agreement is non-binding and subject to a definitive contract, but represents a key milestone for Stardust Power. The company said the agreement improves financing options, reduces development risk, and demonstrates progress toward full-scale operations at its Oklahoma site.

Mandrake’s Utah Lithium Project, located in the northern Paradox Basin, part of the “lithium four corners” region, hosts an Inferred Resource of 3.3 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. The area is known for lithium-rich hypersaline brines and other minerals including boron, potassium, and magnesium.

The project benefits from existing regional infrastructure, shallow and deep aquifers suitable for brine extraction, and access to re-enterable oil and gas wells for sampling and test work.

“We look forward to working with Stardust Power to deliver lithium chloride from our Utah project,” said James Allchurch, Managing Director of Mandrake Resources Limited. He said the agreement “highlights the strategic fit of our location, leveraging established infrastructure and transport links,” while supporting efforts to strengthen the domestic lithium supply chain.

Building a Domestic Lithium Backbone

Stardust Power is advancing permitting and site preparation work in Muskogee as it aims to produce up to 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. The company, which trades on Nasdaq under “SDST,” positions its refinery as a key contributor to U.S. energy security and the growing demand for battery materials across electric vehicle and energy storage markets.