Rare Earth Minerals Found in Utah
A company based in Utah has uncovered rare earth minerals that could help the United States reduce its reliance on China for essential resources, according to a recent report.
Ionic Mineral Technologies has discovered a variety of minerals in clay on its leased land, particularly useful for lithium-ion batteries. This information comes from a Wall Street Journal article published on Thursday.
The company reported finding 16 high-grade minerals, including germanium and niobium, which could represent some of the most significant mineral deposits in the U.S. They’ve only explored about 600 acres to a depth of 100 feet, suggesting that there’s still a lot to uncover.
“We know this is a huge deposit, but we also know it’s just scratching the surface,” said Andre Zeitoun, the founder and CEO of Ionic MT, in comments to the Wall Street Journal. He highlighted the importance of these minerals, saying, “You can’t make a vehicle without these metals. You can’t make a fighter jet without some of these metals.” He also noted that they are essential for artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology.
Currently, China dominates the global market for key minerals, supplying approximately 90% of the world’s rare earths, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In a recent tweet, Ionic Mineral Technologies expressed excitement for the upcoming digging season, mentioning that phase two drilling is set to begin in June as they look for further reserves. They aim to address critical supply chain issues domestically.
Back in October, President Trump indicated that China would continue supplying materials to the U.S., given that these minerals play a vital role in technology and defense innovations.
Ionic MT is pursuing regional independence amid what they describe as “weaponized” critical American supply chains. They have engaged with the Trump administration, receiving enthusiastic support for their initiatives, according to the Wall Street Journal.
White House Press Secretary Khush Desai mentioned that the administration is fully committed to reducing America’s dependence on foreign resources. He stated, “From natural gas to critical minerals, America will never run out of God-given resources to fuel us and build our next Golden Age.”
Zeitoun believes that mining will be a relatively straightforward process due to the nature of the minerals’ location. The site of the mine was once an ancient lake that has dried up, making the minerals accessible from the surface, where they exist in soft clay.
Additionally, Zeitoun pointed out that the region is already equipped for mining, with the necessary infrastructure and permits already in place. Republican Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz also emphasized, “Our energy and national security depend on a reliable supply of critical minerals, and Utah is uniquely positioned to lead the way.”
