BN Strategic Metals has revealed plans to develop an Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) processing plant in the California Rand Mining District in the US.
The move is part of the company’s strategy to build a vertically integrated supply chain for tungsten in the US, centred on its flagship Atolia Tungsten Project.
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The new domestic plant is intended to support US-based industries including the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defence, energy, semiconductor and US Government sectors by providing a secure supply of tungsten products.
Supported by a S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary, the Atolia Tungsten Project contains more than 40 million pounds of tungsten trioxide.
Initial production from the APT processing facility is targeted for the second half of 2027, contingent upon permitting, financing, engineering, construction and customary development milestones.
The company pointed out that the US has limited domestic capacity for both mining and processing tungsten and remains largely dependent on foreign sources.
Tungsten has been identified by the US Government as a critical mineral due to its role in defence, manufacturing and high-technology applications.
APT is the primary intermediate product used to make tungsten powders, tungsten carbide, specialty alloys and other industrial products.
BN Strategic Metals controls more than 6,000 acres of mineral rights within the Rand Mining District.
Alongside tungsten, the company’s portfolio includes properties with more than 1.3 million troy ounces of gold and in excess of 7.8 million troy ounces of silver, according to current technical reporting.
BN Strategic Metals CEO Robert Binkele said: “BN Strategic Metals is building far more than a mine – we are building an integrated American critical minerals company.
“Supported by our current S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary, our flagship Atolia Tungsten Project contains more than 40 million pounds of tungsten trioxide and serves as the foundation for what we believe can become one of the nation’s leading domestic tungsten operations.
“As exploration advances, we believe there is significant potential to further expand our mineral resource inventory. While additional exploration and technical work are required, I believe this project has the potential to support a large-scale mining operation that supports job growth and generates meaningful long-term value.”
