Perpetua, INL to work on modular pilot processing plant

Executive Summary

• Perpetua Resources Corp. has entered an agreement with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for INL to host, commission, and operate a modular pilot processing plant to recover critical minerals, specifically antimony, from Perpetua's Stibnite gold project ores.
• The initiative aims to demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-quality, military specification antimony trisulphide, thereby strengthening domestic defence mineral processing capabilities and workforce training in Idaho.
• This partnership is part of a broader collaboration with the U.S. Army through the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC), building on previous awards totaling $22.4 million, with an additional $6.9 million awarded in May 2025.

Key Details

• Partnership Structure: Agreement between Perpetua Resources Corp. and Idaho National Laboratory (INL), operated by Battelle Energy Alliance LLC.
• Pilot Plant Specifications: Flexible, modular pilot processing plant consisting of several modular containers with necessary equipment for pilot-scale testing.
• Operational Goal: Produce antimony trisulphide concentrate needed for munitions and advanced systems used by U.S. military personnel.
• Material Source: Samples of material from Perpetua's Stibnite gold project, which holds the only identified reserve of antimony in America.
• DOTC Funding Context:
  • Total DOTC awards to date: $22.4 million.
  • Additional funding awarded in May 2025: Up to $6.9 million.
  • Objective: Establish a fully domestic ground-to-round antimony trisulphide supply chain for the U.S. Army.
• Project Impact:
  • Expected to supply up to 35% of U.S. antimony demand during the first six years of operations.
  • Aims to meet long-term Department of War antimony needs.
  • Projected to create hundreds of family-wage jobs.
  • Includes site restoration, fish access restoration, and improvement of water quality at the historical abandoned mine site.
• Strategic Importance: Addresses critical national security needs by leveraging INL’s expertise in mineral characterization, geochemical modelling, and material separation to support American mineral independence and resilience.

Notable Quotes

• Jon Cherry, President and CEO, Perpetua Resources: "We are proud to collaborate with Idaho National Laboratory to further strengthen America's defence capabilities and help secure a domestic source of antimony trisulphide... The successful demonstration of this plant will contribute to sustained growth in American mineral independence and resilience."
• John Wagner, INL Director: "This partnership brings together Perpetua's antimony resources with INL's expertise in materials processing to address a critical national security need... strengthening America's supply chain resilience while advancing Idaho's leadership in critical minerals and work force development."
• Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho): "Idaho has the potential to provide our country with a domestic source of critical minerals that are essential to our national security needs. This partnership is a win for Idaho, and I am pleased to see our great state once again play such a pivotal role on the world stage."