05:23 PM EDT, 04/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Patriot Battery Metals (PMET.TO) after trade Wednesday said it is starting a strategic testwork program with Koch Technology Solutions (KTS), a division of Koch Inc.

The company said the program will evaluate advanced processing methods to produce caesium chemicals from pollucite concentrates at its Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in Quebec's James Bay region.

The testwork is expected to run for about the next four months and will use KTS's expertise in developing and commercializing extraction technologies for critical minerals to produce value-added caesium chemical products, the company added.

"Through this program, PMET furthers its exposure to the significance of critical minerals in the key U.S. market, providing us with an opportunity to capture substantially greater value from this rare and strategically important discovery by working alongside a US industry participant," Chief Executive Ken Brinsden said.

The company's shares closed up $0.22 to $5.46 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.