La compañía estadounidense ION MINERAL TECHNOLOGIES (Ionic MT) anunció el descubrimiento de un nuevo yacimiento de “Tierras raras” (RE) y “Minerales Críticos” en el desierto de Utah (EEUU). Los ensayos realizados sobre las muestras obtenidas, indicarían que se trata de una de las mayores concentraciones en cantidad y calidad de estos elementos críticos en el país, lo que permitiría reducir la dependencia de proveedores externos como China. Los citados materiales resultan indispensables en áreas tecnológicas como la IA, Sistemas de Armas y Vehículos Eléctricos (EV).
A US battery materials manufacturer has confirmed the discovery of a high-grade deposit of rare earth and critical minerals beneath the sands of Utah’s desert that could cut reliance on foreign supplies for AI, defense and EV batteries.
Provo-based Ionic Mineral Technologies (Ionic MT) announced that independent assays have verified one of North America’s most significant concentrations of rare earth elements and critical technology metals.
Found in ion-adsorption clay formations at the company’s Silicon Ridge project, the deposit is of particular significance. Similar geological formations account for roughly 35–40 percent of China’s total rare earth production and more than 70 percent of the world’s heavy rare earth supply.
Ionic MT said the 74,000-square-foot site contains roughly 16 different types of high-quality minerals including lithium, gallium, germanium, rubidium, cesium, vanadium, tungsten, niobium, as well as light and heavy rare earth elements.
The Silicon Ridge discovery
The firm stated that data from 106 boreholes spanning more than 32,808 feet (10,000 meters), together with 35 trenches across a 650-acre area, revealed an average combined rare earth and critical metals grade of around 2,700 parts per million in the clay fraction.
This compares favorably with well-known Chinese ion-adsorption clay deposits, which grade between 500 and 2,000 ppm. The grade has so far been confirmed across just 11 percent of the project area and to depths of around 100 feet. This indicates significant potential for expansion.
“This confirmation is a watershed moment for American resource independence,” Andre Zeitoun, CEO and founder of Ionic MIT, noted.
Zeitoun added that the deposit represents a rare opportunity to produce a wide spectrum of critical minerals within the US, using a faster and cleaner extraction process than traditional hard-rock mining.
“With our mining permits and processing facility in place, we can now move rapidly to production, reducing a key strategic vulnerability for the United States,” he continued.
Domestic supply potential
The company’s method relies on low-temperature ion exchange rather than high-heat processing or heavy acids, with recovery rates of up to 95 percent. “Utah is once again proving we have the greatest resources, vision and determination to power America’s future,” Stuart Adams, Utah Senate President stated.
The discovery comes amid growing concern over global supply chains. China has long dominated the rare earth market and imposed export restrictions on several critical minerals in recent years.
Meanwhile, US officials have warned that shortages of key materials could disrupt advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, as well as electronics production. The new site’s discovery could finally shift production of AI, defense, and battery materials back to US soil.
“Our energy and national security depend on having a reliable supply of critical minerals – and Utah is uniquely positioned to lead the way,” Mike Schultz, Utah’s House speaker said in a press release. “Ionic Mineral Technologies is helping us reduce dependence on foreign adversaries while creating new opportunities and long-term stability for Utah families and our economy.”
Ionic MT revealed that they have begun a Preliminary Economic Assessment. The initial results are expected in the first half of 2026. The company has also engaged a major investment bank as its capital markets adviser.
