Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 16, 2025
Ares Mining Discovers Critical Germanium in Utah Fluorspar Ore
TLDR
- 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.
Impact - Why it Matters
This discovery matters because germanium and gallium are essential for semiconductors, fiber optics, solar cells, and infrared technologies that power modern electronics and defense systems. With China dominating global production of these critical minerals, this domestic discovery reduces U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthens national security. For consumers and industries, it means more stable supply chains for technology manufacturing, potentially lower costs for electronic components, and enhanced competitiveness for American tech companies. The finding also supports job creation in mining and processing sectors while advancing North America's strategic mineral independence.
Summary
Ares Strategic Mining Inc. has announced a significant breakthrough in its materials analysis program conducted in partnership with Iowa State University and Ames National Laboratory. The company confirmed the discovery of germanium (Ge) alongside previously identified gallium (Ga) within fluorspar ore samples from its Spor Mountain Project in Utah. Both minerals are classified as critical strategic minerals on the U.S. supply risk list, with germanium being particularly vital for semiconductors, fiber optics, infrared optics, and solar cell manufacturing. The discovery was confirmed through advanced analytical testing using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), with germanium concentrations detected at 0.15% and 0.05% in two separate samples.
CEO James Walker emphasized that this breakthrough opens an exciting new strategic pathway for Ares, positioning the company as a leader in North America's mineral independence efforts. The discovery is particularly significant given that global germanium production is dominated by China, making domestic sources crucial for supply chain security. With proof-of-concept testing complete, Ares plans to continue advanced laboratory characterization to quantify full germanium and gallium concentrations across additional batches, investigate commercial extraction pathways, and evaluate potential economic co-products and vertical integration opportunities. This initiative forms part of Ares' broader commitment to maximizing resource value and contributing to domestic supply chain resiliency for critical materials in the United States.
The company's Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project in Utah spans 5,982 acres with 353 claims and is fully permitted for mining operations. The project has received approvals from the Bureau of Land Management and features extensive high-grade fluorspar with low impurity levels according to NI 43-101 Technical Reports. This discovery represents a major step forward in reducing American dependence on foreign sources for these critical minerals, which are essential for modern technology and infrastructure development. View the original release on www.newmediawire.com for complete details about this groundbreaking development in domestic mineral exploration.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Ares Mining Discovers Critical Germanium in Utah Fluorspar Ore
