A new the front in America’s push to break dependence on foreign critical minerals opened this week as Perpetua Resources, the U.S. Army and Idaho National Laboratory introduced a pilot plant designed to advance a supply chain for military-grade antimony.
The modular mineral processing facility, located at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, will test and display methods to manufacture high-quality antimony trisulfide from material sourced from Perpetua’s Stibnite Gold Project in central Idaho — a resource officials say could emerge as the nation’s first primary domestic source of the critical mineral.
Antimony is a main material used in defense systems, ammunition, batteries, solar glass and flame-retardant products. The US recently depends heavily on foreign suppliers, with China and Russia dominating global manufacturing.
The launch marks a big step in a government-industry efforts to rebuild a steady “ground-to-round” domestic antimony supply chain after China stopped supplying the US with the specialised antimony trisulfide used in more than 300 forms of ammunition in 2021.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 29 brought together Idaho Governor Brad Little, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, U.S. Representative Mike Simpson, Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner and Perpetua President and CEO Jon Cherry.
“From the mountains of central Idaho to the national laboratories advancing America’s defense and energy capabilities, present day milestone demonstrates what is possible when industry, government, and scientific innovation work together on practical domestic solutions,” stated Jon Cherry, President & CEO of Perpetua Resources.
“As construction advances on the Stibnite Gold Project, this pilot plant broadens that momentum downstream by supporting establish the capabilities required to produce military-grade antimony materials here in America. Together, those investments are laying the muse for a secure, end-to-end domestic supply chain that reinforces national security while forming long-term economic opportunity.”
The pilot plant integrates Perpetua’s antimony resource with Idaho National Laboratory’s advanced materials expertise to form processing capabilities, train employees and help future commercial-scale manufacturing of critical minerals.
“This pilot plant is more than an indication facility; it’s an investment in the nation’s critical mineral future,” INL Laboratory Director John Wagner stated. “The data and operational experience formed right here will support advance domestic antimony manufacturing even as showing how national laboratories, industry and government can work collectively to reinforce America’s supply chains and national security.”
Defense officials stated the venture could support decrease vulnerabilities within the U.S. military supply chain.
“Establishing robust domestic supply chains for critical minerals is important to our national defense,” mentioned Col. Steve Adcock, Portfolio Management Executive Ammunition & Energetics at Picatinny Arsenal.
“This pilot plant signifies a vital step toward lowering America’s reliance on foreign sources of antimony while reinforcing the industrial capabilities required to support our warfighters. Partnerships like this assist make certain the US can reliably access the materials important to military readiness.”
The venture builds on years of federal guidance targeted at restoring domestic critical mineral manufacturing. Perpetua’s Stibnite Gold Project incorporates the only detected domestic reserve of antimony and is being developed alongside considerable gold manufacturing.
“We’ve worked to rebuild America’s critical mineral supply chains as our national security relies upon on them,” stated U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (R-Idaho).
“Today’s ribbon cutting is a considerable milestone in that effort. By integrating Perpetua Resources, the Idaho National Laboratory, and the U.S. Army, this venture shows how Idaho is supporting reinforce our nation’s defense, broaden domestic production capabilities, and reduce our dependance on foreign assets of crucial minerals. I’m proud to have supported this partnership from the starting and eager to see the vital role it will play for our country.”
Idaho officials stated the venture reinforces the state’s function as a critical minerals, innovation and advanced production.
“This partnership among Idaho National Laboratory and Perpetua Resources is a big step toward securing America’s critical mineral supply chain and decreasing our reliance on foreign-controlled resources,” stated Idaho Governor Brad Little.
“By integrating Idaho’s extensive natural resources with world-class breakthrough, we are reinforcing our national security, generating proper-paying jobs, and strengthening Idaho’s leadership in the industries that will power America’s future.”
The Stibnite Gold Venture sits in the historic Stibnite Mining District, which provided antimony and tungsten during World War II to assist U.S. Military efforts. After more than a decade of scientific studies, engineering work, environmental overview and stakeholder engagement, the venture acquired final federal approvals in 2025 and has moved into early works construction.
Perpetua stated that infrastructure upgrades are underway to guide full-scale growth, with the venture anticipated to support restore domestic antimony manufacturing while delivering environmental restoration, jobs and economic advantages.
The company stated the pilot plant and Stibnite Gold venture jointly represent a wider effort to rebuild U.S. Critical mineral independence, reinforce national security and reduce reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains.
