Resurrected Idaho Mine Could Be 1st in US to Produce Tungsten Since 2015

Contact Your Elected Officials

The IMA Mine Project could supply 8 percent of the nation’s demand for the critical mineral within 18 months, trimming reliance on China-dominated imports.

A Canada-based corporation is rehabilitating a mine in east-central Idaho that has been shuttered for nearly 70 years to extract the first domestically produced tungsten in the United States in more than a decade.

American Tungsten Corp. CEO Ali Haji told investors, researchers, and mining executives during a 6ix.com presentation on Aug. 21 that the company’s IMA Mine Project could be fully operational within 18 months once it secures $20 million in capital to proceed beyond the $7 million it has spent in preliminary site upgrades.

Tungsten is among the hardest metals. It is classified by the Defense Department (DOD) as a critical mineral, vital for the production of tank armor, artillery, bullets, hypersonic weapons, submarine hulls, semiconductors, circuit boards, and many other products and applications.

The United States has been totally reliant on imported tungsten since 2015, when China, the world’s dominant producer of processed tungsten, flooded the global market, lowering prices to a point at which domestic mining and milling could not compete.

Since 2023, China has imposed restrictions on strategic materials exported to the United States, including gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite, and tungsten.

To reduce reliance on imports, especially from foreign adversaries, President Donald Trump issued a March executive order requiring federal agencies to help expedite projects by streamlining permitting, opening more public lands for mining, and including critical mineral development under the regulatory auspices of the Defense Production Act.

In the past month, the Energy Department announced that it would shift $1 billion from programs established under 2021’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act into funding critical mineral projects. According to Reuters, the Trump administration is also considering reallocating at least $2 billion from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act into critical mineral mining and processing.

In March, the DOD accepted American Tungsten’s application to join the Defense Industrial Base Consortium, which aims to expand and diversify the domestic defense industrial base, enable private sector businesses to partner with federal agencies, and provide “non-dilutive financing”—early-stage startup capital without equity collateral—for contractors in key industries.

By John Haughey

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Government Shutdown, Health Care, Tax Breaks=Perfect Storm

The shutdown over cuts to health subsidies for the poor stems from Trump’s OBBB plan, which critics say funneled trillions to the wealthy.

3I/Atlas Comet or UFO Arrives Tomorrow!

The 3I/Atlas object is hurtling toward our solar system on a strange path and composition, set to pass behind the sun, obscuring visual and radio tracking.

‘I’d Be Finished’: Vaccine Researcher Trashes Own Study to Save Career

Most doctors comply with the system, following orders to keep their jobs, income, and prestige, even if it means setting aside independent judgment.

Kamala, Please Run Again

Kamala Harris hinted she wants to run for President in 2028, despite poor poll numbers and her loss in 2024. If she runs, the big winners will be the GOP.

Rosie O’Donnell vs. Her Therapist

Rosie O’Donnell's therapist attempted to artfully introduce to her client to the possibility that Rosie's outrage might be performative. It didn’t take.

Federal Judge Extends Order Blocking Firings During Shutdown

A federal judge on Oct. 28 indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Los Angeles Dethrones Chicago as ‘Rattiest’ US City

Los Angeles has dethroned Chicago as the “rattiest” U.S. city after more than a decade, becoming the new top haven for rodents.

Prediction of Climate Catastrophe Loses Some of Its Strongest Advocates

Bill Gates says the “doomsday view” of climate catastrophe is wrong, signaling a major shift in the global warming debate.

DOJ to Review Biden’s Use of Autopen for Pardons

The DOJ will review the Biden administration’s use of an autopen for thousands of pardons, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Tuesday.

Trump, Japanese PM Sign Critical Minerals, Rare Earths Deal

The U.S. president visited Tokyo on the second leg...

Trump Hikes Canada’s Tariffs by 10 Percent for Not Pulling Anti-Tariff Ad Immediately

Trump announced he will increase tariffs on Canada by 10% after ad by provincial government of Ontario misrepresented President Reagan’s speech on tariffs.

Trump Rolls Back Emissions Rules on Copper Smelters

President Trump issued a proclamation aimed at reversing a Biden-era environmental rule that enforced stricter air emission standards on copper smelters.

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump announced on Oct. 23 that an anonymous donor sent $130M to cover military pay during the ongoing government shutdown.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central