Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 20, 2026
Ares Mining Wins $169M DoD Deal to Secure U.S. Fluorspar Supply
TLDR
- Ares Strategic Mining gains a competitive edge as sole U.S. supplier with a $168.9M DoD contract, securing its market position and potential $250M upside.
- Ares Strategic Mining received a five-year IDIQ contract from the U.S. DoD for up to $250 million to supply acid-grade fluorspar for national stockpile replenishment.
- This contract strengthens U.S. critical mineral independence, creating a resilient domestic supply chain that supports national security and future industrial growth.
- Ares Strategic Mining's Utah-based Lost Sheep Project now supplies fluorspar for defense systems, semiconductors, and clean energy, ending U.S. import dependence.
Impact - Why it Matters
This contract represents a critical shift in U.S. industrial and national security policy, directly addressing vulnerabilities in supply chains for essential materials. Fluorspar is fundamental to producing everything from semiconductors and batteries to missile systems and aluminum, yet the U.S. has been entirely reliant on imports—often from geopolitically unstable regions. By establishing a domestic supplier through Ares, the Department of Defense is mitigating strategic risks that could disrupt defense production, clean energy adoption, and advanced manufacturing. For consumers and industries, this move enhances long-term economic stability and technological sovereignty, reducing dependence on foreign sources and strengthening America's competitive edge in high-tech sectors. It signals a broader governmental commitment to reshoring critical industries, which could lead to more jobs, increased innovation, and greater resilience against global supply chain disruptions.
Summary
In a landmark development for American industrial independence, Ares Strategic Mining Inc. has secured a transformative $168.9 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense, with a potential total value reaching $250 million. This five-year agreement, awarded through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), designates Ares as the sole domestic supplier of acid-grade fluorspar—a mineral critical to national defense, clean energy, and high-tech manufacturing. CEO James Walker emphasized that this contract "transforms companies" and positions Ares at the forefront of rebuilding resilient U.S. supply chains, moving the nation away from its historical 100% import dependence for this vital resource.
The contract specifically supports the replenishment of government stockpiles of strategic minerals, with acidspar being essential for producing hydrofluoric acid used in defense systems, missile technology, steel and aluminum production, semiconductors, batteries, and next-generation electronics. This award validates Ares' Utah-based Lost Sheep Project, a fully permitted operation covering 5,982 acres, which features extensive high-grade fluorspar deposits identified in an NI 43-101 Technical Report. As the only U.S. producer capable of delivering this mineral at scale, Ares now plays a pivotal role in America's push for domestic critical mineral independence, directly contributing to what Walker calls "national resilience, industrial strength, and long-term security."
This strategic partnership marks a significant turning point in U.S. industrial policy, reflecting the government's commitment to revitalizing neglected supply chains through initiatives like those reported by NEWMEDIAWIRE. By prioritizing domestic sourcing, the contract helps secure manufacturing bases for industries vital to modern infrastructure and technology. For further information, stakeholders can contact James Walker via email, while investors should note the company's disclosures about forward-looking statements and project development risks. Ultimately, this agreement establishes Ares not just as a mining company, but as a key partner in America's strategic future, ensuring that critical mineral capabilities are rebuilt within national borders.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Ares Mining Wins $169M DoD Deal to Secure U.S. Fluorspar Supply
