Governor Gianforte Cuts Ribbon on Critical Mineral Mill in Radersburg

Governor's Office

RADERSBURG, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today joined executives from United States Antimony Corporation (USAC) to cut the ribbon on the company's critical mineral mill in Radersburg.

"Producing critical minerals here at home not only helps provide good-paying jobs for Montanans but also helps strengthen our supply chains and reduce America's reliance on foreign adversaries," Gov. Gianforte said. "This ribbon cutting is about more than the opening of a new facility, it's a sign that Montana is open for business and ready to support America's national security."

Gov. Gianforte (center left) and USAC CEO and Chairman Gary C. Evans (center) during a ceremony at the USAC critical mineral mill in Radersburg

In 1969, USAC was established in Montana to mine antimony which is a critical mineral for national defense, energy, batteries, ammunition, and semiconductors. The ribbon cutting in Radersburg marks the opening of USAC's second facility in Montana.

Last year, Gov. Gianforte joined the company to celebrate the expansion of its antimony smelter in Thompson Falls. The facility, the only antimony smelter in the United States, is capable of producing up to 15 million pounds of antimony oxide or 5 million pounds of antimony metal annually, while also refining silver and gold. The Radersburg mill will recover gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc from localized ores and can also be used to concentrate other metals such as platinum, palladium, tungsten, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

With China controlling 85 percent of the world's antimony production, Montana's continued critical mineral milling and smelter operations will help secure domestic supply and strengthen U.S. industries. During his comments, the governor underscored the importance of U.S. companies strengthening American-made energy.

"For too long, our nation has relied on our adversaries for the critical minerals that power our economy and support our national defense - that dependence has left America vulnerable. The U.S. Antimony Corporation is changing that," the governor added. "At this facility, the company will be able to meet industry demand for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of War and it's ready to hit the ground running with 800 tons of antimony ore mined at its Thompson Falls operation."

In January, USAC acquired the Radersburg facility and after nearly $2 million in equipment upgrades, the mill is expected to be fully-commissioned later this month.

"Radersburg was our missing link. We can now say that we are the only fully integrated antimony company in the world outside of China and Russia. Governor Gianforte has been a tremendous supporter of US Antimony's growth; he understands the importance of mining in Montana and that we can no longer be dependent on these critical mineral resources from our adversaries," said Gary C. Evans, Chairman & CEO of USAC.

Montana holds significant deposits of critical minerals used for defense manufacturing, energy production, and technology, including tungsten, antimony, cobalt, nickel, copper, palladium, and platinum, to name a few. Gov. Gianforte supports the responsible mining of these critical minerals to reduce reliance on foreign sources, strengthen national security, and support the mining and milling industries.

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