Ares Strategic Mining Ships Flotation Plant to Produce High-Purity Acidspar
Ares Strategic Mining has shipped its new flotation plant, featuring state-of-the-art flotation technology. This facility will be the only one of its kind in North America, designed specifically to produce acidspar, a high-purity form of fluorspar (calcium fluoride) crucial for several industrial applications, including aluminum production, chemical manufacturing, lithium-ion batteries, electronics, and specialized glass and ceramics.
The flotation plant was developed with the expertise of leading international fluorspar mining and processing companies, incorporating advanced metallurgical work tailored to Ares' unique ore. Ares' international partners, with extensive experience in fluorspar operations across Asia, will oversee the plant's installation and initial production phases.
Ares has successfully tested its ore through a similar plant, achieving high-grade acidspar with excellent recovery rates that meet industry standards. The high-purity acidspar has already attracted considerable interest from both international and domestic manufacturers in sectors such as chemicals, steel, glass, and ceramics.
James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating, "Our operation, infrastructure, and production timelines are coming together well, with plans to commence mining alongside processing facility construction. We see Ares' operations becoming a cornerstone of the U.S. industrial landscape and are excited about our long-term growth plans and impact on domestic supply chains."
In 2018, the U.S. government classified fluorspar as a Critical Mineral, essential for national security and economic stability. Fluorspar remains the only non-metallic Critical Mineral that is entirely imported in the U.S. This classification allows for an accelerated permitting period, expediting the initiation of mining operations compared to other minerals.