ASM reaches commercial production at Virginia mineral processing operations

[Redator]

Atlantic Strategic Minerals (ASM) announced Thursday it has reached commercial production at its commissioned mining and mineral processing facilities in Virginia.  ASM said historical and current investment in the project and its related facilities exceeds $200 million, including initial construction and the recent refurbishment.  

ASM is majority owned by Appian Capital Advisory and its Virginia operations represent the 12th mining project that Appian has brought into production since 2016. 

The company said the project comprises high-grade mining assets and processing facilities, including a concentrator plant and the largest mineral separation plant in North America.  

ASM said its opening of its Virginia mining and processing facilities marks a significant milestone for US economic security with the production of critical minerals ilmenite, which is a feedstock for titanium and pigment industries, and zircon, essential resources for industries ranging from consumer goods to advanced manufacturing and defense.   

Titanium and zirconium have been designated by the U.S. Government as critical minerals with domestic industries currently heavily relying on international imports to meet demand.    

ASM said the operation offers capacity to process domestic and imported critical minerals – building more secure US supply chains.   

The company said it has already delivered its first shipments of ilmenite and zircon, as part of long-term offtake agreements, to US industrial customers.   

In the next phase of development at its Virginia operations, ASM said it plans to produce monazite, a key mineral feedstock used in the production of rare earth oxides. Studies indicate that ASM’s monazite has significant concentrations of praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd), key materials for magnets used in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines and defense applications.   

With China currently processing approximately 90% of rare earths, the company said the project’s monazite production has the potential to significantly diversify and strengthen the US’ critical supply chains.  
“We are proud to officially commence production in Virginia, a project that not only strengthens the domestic supply of critical minerals but also plays a vital role in bolstering US economic and national security,” ASM CEO Chris Wyatt said in a news release.  

“It is a case study of how to responsibly and successfully bring a strategically important project into production, while also ensuring lasting benefits to local communities.”