Equity Insider News Commentary
Issued on behalf of Ares Strategic Mining Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, June 2, 2025
/PRNewswire/ -- Equity Insider News Commentary –
Amid a trade war with China, the
focus of the west is sharpening on breaking China's stranglehold on critical minerals.
Demand for minerals like cobalt, lithium, antimony, fluorspar, and
copper is growing rapidly, to meet growing demand for green energy
solutions. In some ways, there have been calls for better recycling
of e-waste to reclaim critical minerals before they hit landfills,
however, the reality is that the world's supply for these assets is
becoming more concentrated in fewer countries. To address this, the
US government and other western institutions are making progress,
by supporting domestic development of these types of commodities,
including with miners such as Ares Strategic Mining Inc.
(CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF), Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:
CENX), United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE-American:
UAMY), NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ: NB), and X
(NYSE-American: TGB) (TSX: TKO).
One of the lesser-known but strategically vital entries on the
U.S. critical minerals list is fluorspar — the only non-metallic
mineral on that list that is still 100% imported, according to the
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While it often flies
under the radar, fluorspar plays an essential role in clean energy
technology. It's a key component in the production of lithium-ion
battery electrolytes, cathodes, anodes, and separator binders, and
is also used in the processing of natural graphite. As demand for
battery materials intensifies, fluorspar's unique position in the
supply chain makes it increasingly difficult to ignore.
Ares Strategic Mining (CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF) has just
secured a transformative $11 million
USD loan from the Utah State Legislature and the
Utah Community Impact Board (CIB). The funding will be used
to accelerate production at the company's Lost Sheep fluorspar mine
— currently the only fully permitted fluorspar operation in
the United States.
The support also extends to the extraction of gallium, a mineral
critical to the microchip and defense sectors, which has not been
produced domestically since 1987.
Located in Juab County, Utah,
the Lost Sheep project spans 5,982 acres across 353 claims and
holds permits that are already in place. With confirmed gallium
deposits and a strategic domestic footprint, the mine is expected
to become a vital part of rebuilding the U.S. supply chain for
critical minerals.
"Fluorspar and gallium are essential to U.S. national security
and economic stability," said Senator Jerry
Stevenson, chief sponsor of SB187. "Establishing a domestic
supply for these critical minerals is a priority."
The loan was approved through a legislative initiative that
underscores Utah's growing role in
strengthening the United States'
resource independence. As global supply chains remain vulnerable
and strained, the ability to extract and process high-demand
minerals like fluorspar and gallium within U.S. borders is
increasingly seen as a matter of national interest.
"CIB is delighted to support a project of such national
significance that will also create valuable job opportunities in
rural Utah," said Curtis Webb, Chair of the CIB Board.
Fluorspar plays a key role in a variety of industrial and
defense applications, including steel and aluminum production,
uranium enrichment, cement manufacturing, lithium-ion batteries,
and more. Gallium, particularly in the form of gallium nitrate, is
vital to the semiconductor industry due to its efficiency in
high-performance electronic devices.
"Utah's investment in Ares
underscores a strategic commitment to rebuilding critical mineral
supply chains in the U.S.," said James
Walker, CEO of Ares Strategic Mining. "This funding
highlights the pivotal role of fluorspar across defense,
technology, and renewable energy sectors, while also addressing the
absence of domestic gallium production since 1987 - a mineral
crucial to our economy and national defense."
The state funding follows a series of material developments for
the company. In December, Ares acquired the heavy mining
equipment necessary to scale production at Lost Sheep, marking a
critical step toward operational readiness.
Then, in April, UK-based investment firm Sorbie Bornholm
LP increased its institutional investment, further accelerating
development plans and validating the company's long-term vision of
becoming a fully integrated North American fluorspar supplier.
With permits secured, production assets in place, and major
financial backing from both private and public institutions,
Ares appears to be moving quickly from planning into
execution. The company is not only reactivating America's sole
fluorspar mine but also positioning itself as a cornerstone of the
U.S. strategy to de-risk its mineral supply chain.
In a market that increasingly prioritizes secure and high-grade
domestic mineral sources, Ares may have just taken a
decisive step into strategic relevance.
CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Ares Strategic
Mining
at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2024/04/29/this-company-is-bringing-essential-mining-back-to-the-u-s-fueled-by-government-action/
In other industry developments and happenings in the market
include:
Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ: CENX) has recently
voiced strong support for President Trump's decision to raise
aluminum tariffs to 50%, calling it a major win for U.S.
industry.
"President Trump has stood firm in his support of U.S. aluminum
production and American jobs," said Jesse
Gary, President and CEO of Century Aluminum Company.
"We thank President Trump for again putting America first and
supporting the resurgence of the domestic aluminum industry."
The Section 232 increase is aimed at safeguarding critical metal
supply chains and encouraging domestic job creation.
Century, the largest primary aluminum producer in the
U.S., says it will now move forward with building the first new
aluminum smelter in half a century. The company also announced
plans to double domestic production.
United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE-American: UAMY)
is strengthening its commitment to U.S. critical minerals security
by advancing new recovery efforts in Alaska, while continuing operations in
Montana and Mexico.
Antimony, a strategic mineral used in defense, energy storage,
and flame-retardant materials, has become increasingly scarce after
China imposed an export ban in
2024. Despite a recent 90-day tariff truce between the U.S. and
China, the ban remains in place,
keeping pressure on domestic supply.
"We are proud to contribute to the U.S. mission of expanding
that role with increased processing capability, and restoring
secure, domestic access to antimony," said Gary C. Evans, Chairman and CEO of United
States Antimony Corporation (USAC). "Our operations have and
continue to play a central role in the U.S. antimony supply chain,
and we are expanding that role with the recovery of our own
strategic, previously mined deposits of ore located in Alaska to help reduce this foreign
dependence."
USAC is one of the only companies in North America with the capacity to process
antimony at scale and is benefiting from exemptions under the
latest U.S. trade policies.
NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ: NB) is
progressing on multiple fronts at its Elk Creek Critical Minerals
Project, beginning with the launch of a full feasibility study
update supported by a specialized team of engineering, geology, and
environmental firms. The work is intended to upgrade mineral
resource categories and refine development economics.
"We are excited to bring this talented and capable team together,"
said Scott Honan, Chief Operating
Officer of NioCorp. "These firms are all standouts in their
respective fields and most have already done significant work in
support of the Elk Creek Project."
Building on that momentum, NioCorp also recently received
a non-binding Expression of Interest from UK Export Finance
for a potential $200 million debt
guarantee to support project construction. The proposed UKEF
support would be coordinated with prospective financing efforts
involving the U.S. EXIM Bank and German government loan
programs.
Back in late April, Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE-American:
TGB) (TSX: TKO) confirmed that construction at its Florence
Copper Project in Arizona was 78%
complete, with first copper production expected before the end of
2025.
"After 15 months, construction progress continues to track to
our original schedule," said Stuart
McDonald, President and CEO of Taseko Mines Limited.
"The project is in great shape and Florence
Copper will soon become a major new supplier of copper
cathode for the US market."
Major milestones this quarter include the completion of well
drilling, cathode equipment installation, and progress on the
electrowinning and solvent extraction systems. A recent permit
allows the company to repurpose process water for on-site
agricultural use, a move expected to ease strain on local water
resources.
With construction costs in line with guidance and no
environmental or safety incidents reported, Taseko says the
project is tracking to become a key new supplier of refined copper
for the U.S. market.
Article Source:
https://usanewsgroup.com/2024/04/29/this-company-is-bringing-essential-mining-back-to-the-u-s-fueled-by-government-action/
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