Miner Perpetua Resources has come together with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) via Battelle Energy Alliance for a critical mineral pilot plant using Perpetua materials.
The INL will host, commission, and operate the flexible, modular pilot processing plant expected to be capable of recovering various critical and defense-related minerals, including antimony from the miner’s ores. The companies are seeking to demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-quality, military-specification antimony trisulfide and, additionally, potentially advance domestic defense mineral processing capabilities.
They noted that, by locating the pilot plant at INL, they can leverage the lab’s critical and strategic materials and defense programs. Trained operators and specialized staff members will commission and operate the plant, which will consist of several modular containers with the necessary equipment to conduct pilot-scale testing.
Once installed, the pilot plant will receive samples of material from Perpetua’s Stibnite gold project, and operators will conduct pilot-scale testing to produce antimony trisulfide concentrate needed for munitions and advanced systems used by U.S. military personnel.
“We are proud to collaborate with Idaho National Laboratory to further strengthen America’s defense capabilities and help secure a domestic source of antimony trisulfide,” said Perpetua president and CEO Jon Cherry.
“This partnership highlights Idaho’s role in national security and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to responsible resource development, job creation, and workforce training in Idaho. The successful demonstration of this plant will contribute to sustained growth in American mineral independence and resilience.”
The pilot plant initiative is part of a broader partnership between Perpetua and the U.S. Army via the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium to secure domestic sources of critical minerals.
Perpetua was awarded up to $6.9 million in additional funding last May for its effort, bringing the company’s total DOTC awards up to $22.4 million.
“This partnership brings together Perpetua’s antimony resources with INL’s expertise in materials processing to address a critical national security need,” said INL director John Wagner.
“Establishing domestic production capabilities for antimony trisulfide essential for munitions and defense systems strengthens America’s supply chain resilience while advancing Idaho’s leadership in critical minerals and workforce development.”
The Stibnite gold project is the only identified reserve of antimony in America. The company expects to supply up to 35% of U.S. antimony demand during its first six years of operations while meeting long-term Department of War antimony needs.
Source: Perpetua Resources