Ares Strategic Mining Inc. has initiated active mining operations at its Lost Sheep Fluorspar Mine in Utah, with several thousand tons of fluorspar ore already extracted and stockpiled at surface in preparation for processing. This development marks a significant transition from the project's development phase to production build-up, representing tangible progress toward sustained acidspar output. The company's underground operations are advancing steadily, with ore being extracted, transported to surface, and organized into structured stockpiles to support upcoming processing runs.
The current stockpiling phase allows Ares to build strategic ore inventory ahead of flotation plant commissioning, optimize blending and grade control for consistent processing performance, ensure uninterrupted feedstock supply once processing begins, and demonstrate visible and measurable production momentum. This initiative is part of the company's broader strategy to ensure smooth ramp-up into full acidspar production. With underground development advancing and surface infrastructure in place, Ares is methodically positioning itself for consistent throughput once the flotation plant becomes operational.
James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, commented on the milestone, stating that seeing hundreds of tons of ore at surface validates the hard work the team has put into bringing the Lost Sheep back into production. He emphasized that this represents real progress that is tangible, measurable, and visible, with the company building momentum step by step. Over the coming weeks, Ares expects to continue expanding surface stockpiles, advance flotation plant readiness, prepare for initial processing runs, and move closer to steady-state production.
The commencement of mining operations at the Lost Sheep Fluorspar Mine carries significant implications for domestic critical mineral supply. Fluorspar is designated as a U.S. critical mineral essential for steel and aluminum manufacturing, fluorochemicals and refrigerants, semiconductor and electronics production, clean energy technologies, and defense and national security applications. As the only permitted and operating fluorspar mine in the United States, Ares continues to reinforce its position as a cornerstone of domestic supply. The company's NI 43-101 Technical Report identified extensive high-grade fluorspar with low levels of impurities at the Utah site.
The mining plan for the Lost Sheep project was approved by the Bureau of Land Management, with initial approval granted on August 24, 1992, and renewed on December 12, 2016. The project is located in the Spor Mountain area of Juab County, Utah, approximately 214 kilometers southwest of Salt Lake City. Ares has settled $185,199.23 CAD for services rendered to the company by consultants and service providers by issuing 381,854 common shares, which are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The company's forward-looking statements caution that actual results may differ from expectations due to various risks and uncertainties. Additional information can be found in the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
