Ares Strategic Mining Discovers Germanium in Utah Fluorspar Ore, Boosting Domestic Critical Mineral Supply
TL;DR
Ares Strategic Mining gains a competitive edge by discovering germanium and gallium in its Utah fluorspar ore, positioning it as a North American leader in critical mineral supply.
Ares used ICP-OES analysis on seven samples, detecting germanium at 0.15% and 0.05% concentrations with low error margins, confirming strategic mineral presence.
This discovery enhances U.S. supply chain resiliency for critical minerals, supporting domestic technology infrastructure and reducing reliance on foreign sources like China.
Germanium is extremely rare and vital for semiconductors and solar cells, making this find a significant breakthrough in mineral exploration.
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Ares Strategic Mining Inc. has confirmed the presence of germanium in addition to gallium within fluorspar ore samples from its Spor Mountain Project in Utah, marking a significant development for domestic critical mineral supply chains. The discovery was made through partnership with Iowa State University and Ames National Laboratory, confirmed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy testing that detected germanium concentrations of 0.15% and 0.05% in two separate samples.
Germanium is vital for semiconductors, fiber optics, infrared optics, and solar cell manufacturing, with global production currently dominated by China. The mineral appears on the U.S. supply risk list alongside gallium, which was previously identified in the same ore bodies. James Walker, CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, stated that this breakthrough aligns with the company's vision to unlock additional critical mineral value from its deposits and support North America's mineral independence.
The company will continue advanced laboratory characterization to quantify full germanium and gallium concentrations across additional batches while investigating commercial pathways to extract and recover these materials alongside fluorspar. This initiative forms part of Ares' broader commitment to maximizing resource value and contributing to domestic supply chain resiliency for critical materials. The Spor Mountain Project encompasses 5,982 acres in Juab County, Utah, with fully permitted mining operations and an approved mining plan from the Bureau of Land Management.
The discovery holds implications for reducing U.S. reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals essential to technology and renewable energy sectors. As the company evaluates potential economic co-products and vertical integration opportunities, this development could position Ares as a significant supplier of multiple strategic minerals to North American markets. The project's progress can be followed through regulatory filings available on relevant securities exchange platforms.
Curated from NewMediaWire
