#United States #Boise #Perpetua Resources #Antimony Trisulfide #Defense Funding

Perpetua Resources Secures Major Funding for Domestic Antimony Production

Perpetua Resources Corp., a leader in sustainable mining, has scored significant funding from the U.S. Army to propel its antimony trisulfide supply chain. The company received an additional $6.9 million through the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC). This funding is a continuation of a $15.5 million award from August 2023 aimed at supporting the development of military-grade antimony trisulfide, essential for certain munitions and advanced defense systems.

The financial boost is designed to enhance Perpetua’s existing pilot plant initiatives and expand material sampling strategies at its Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho. Jon Cherry, the President and CEO of Perpetua Resources, expressed pride in supporting U.S. defense efforts and emphasized the importance of establishing a reliable domestic source for antimony, a critical mineral linked to national security.

Antimony trisulfide plays an integral role in the formulation of over 300 types of munitions, ensuring that the U.S. military has the strategic materials it needs readily available. Colonel Steven Power from the Maneuver Ammunition Systems underscored the necessity of cultivating a domestic supply chain, explaining that without it, the safety of American forces could be compromised.

With the latest funding, Perpetua has amassed more than $80 million from the Department of Defense, enhancing its capability to supply up to 35% of the U.S. antimony demand in the early years of operation. The project, vital due to China’s monopoly over the global antimony market—especially after a halt on U.S. exports in 2024—aims to restore supply chain resilience while creating hundreds of jobs and improving environmental conditions at the historically contaminated Stibnite site.

The additional resources will also facilitate the design and construction of a new, modular pilot plant that is crucial for processing antimony to meet U.S. Department of Defense standards.

Alongside the production of antimony trisulfide, the Stibnite Gold Project is recognized as one of the highest-grade open-pit gold deposits in America. The project focuses on responsible mining practices, particularly restoring the ecosystem impacted by previous mining operations. By improving fish access to spawning habitats and enhancing water quality, Perpetua is committed to balancing its mining operations with environmental stewardship.

Perpetua’s partnership with the Department of Defense is part of a broader initiative to secure domestic sources of critical minerals. The project's durable approach not only bolsters defense capabilities but also generates income for local communities through job creation and infrastructure development.

With this integrated strategy, Perpetua Resources is pivotal in establishing a stout domestic supply chain for antimony trisulfide, thereby ensuring that U.S. military needs can be met independently from global supply fluctuations that threaten national security.

In fostering industrial and technological partnerships, Perpetua is not only enhancing military capacity but also championing sustainable practices in the mining sector—an initiative that could set a precedent for future resource management projects across the United States.