Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF) (FRA: N811) said it is now producing metallurgical-grade fluorspar, or metspar, lumps at saleable grade at its Delta Lumps Plant, meeting the customer specifications targeted for its initial deliveries this month. The announcement, reported via NEWMEDIAWIRE, marks a step from commissioning toward commercial shipments for a junior miner aiming to supply high-grade fluorspar to North American markets.
The milestone matters because metspar is a feedstock for steelmaking and other industrial processes, and a new domestic source could help reduce reliance on imports for a mineral the company describes as supporting industries vital to modern technology and infrastructure. Ares said first commercial shipments and sales are expected to begin in November, subject to final customer acceptance and shipping arrangements, and it will confirm the first shipment once completed.
The company also said it is transferring site operations from Provo Mining and Construction, Inc. to direct Ares operational management, a handover expected to complete in mid-December 2026. Bob Li, a director and chairman of the Mujim Group, is now on site in Delta leading the current team through the transition. Ares said Li brings experience in fluorspar mining, processing, plant design and metallurgy through his work with Mujim, which supplied Ares' processing plants, including the Lumps Plant, and that he has been closely involved in commissioning and product quality sign-off.
Chief Executive Officer and President James Walker said experienced operational leadership is central to converting installed infrastructure into dependable commercial output, adding that Li's knowledge of the plant and product makes him the right person to lead operations. The company said Li's focus will be consistent product quality, efficient plant operation, operator development and close coordination between mine supply and processing.
Throughout September and October, the Delta team increased plant feed from the Lost Sheep Mine and carried out product testing and process optimisation. Ares acknowledged the ramp-up to commercial production has taken longer than originally planned, and said its focus is on consistently repeating product quality, increasing saleable output and coordinating production with customer delivery requirements. The Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project in Delta, Utah, is 100% owned, covers 5,982 acres and 353 claims, and holds mining permits including a BLM-approved mining plan.
The transition is designed to preserve the experience and site knowledge of the people who built the operation while bringing production planning, maintenance, staffing and operating priorities under coordinated Ares leadership. As announced on October 20, 2026, Ares agreed to settle US$1,000,000 of outstanding debt relating to mine and processing facility development through the issuance of 5,550,588 common shares at a deemed price of C$0.255 per share. The debt, originally owed to Provo, was assigned to Roy Durr, who requested settlement in shares as an investment in Ares. Ares said the settlement reduced liabilities while preserving cash for operations and aligns Durr's investment with the company's future progress. The original release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
