Perpetua and INL partner on critical, defence-related minerals recovery project
Perpetua Resources Corp says it has entered an agreement with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) via Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, for the INL to host, commission and operate a flexible, modular pilot processing plant expected to be capable of recovering various critical and defence-related minerals, including antimony from the company’s orebodies.
This initiative is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of producing high-quality, military specification antimony trisulphide using material from Perpetua’s Stibnite gold project. In addition, it will provide opportunities to advance domestic defence mineral processing capabilities and strengthen workforce training in Idaho.
“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,” Jon Cherry, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources, said. “This partnership highlights Idaho’s role in national security and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to responsible resource development, job creation and workforce training in Idaho. The successful demonstration of this plant will contribute to sustained growth in American mineral independence and resilience.”
Locating the pilot plant at INL leverages the lab’s critical and strategic materials and defence programs. Trained operators and specialised staff members will commission and operate the plant, which will consist of several modular containers with the necessary equipment to conduct pilot-scale testing. Once installed, the pilot plant will receive samples of material from Stibnite and operators will conduct pilot-scale testing to produce antimony trisulfide concentrate needed for munitions and advanced systems used by US military personnel.
This pilot plant initiative is part of a broader partnership between Perpetua Resources and the U.S. Army via the Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC) to secure domestic sources of critical minerals. In May 2025, Perpetua was awarded up to $6.9 million in additional DOTC funding, bringing the company’s total DOTC awards up to $22.4 million.
This extended award combines Perpetua’s Idaho-based antimony resource with INL’s world-class scientific research capabilities to support the U.S. Army’s objective of establishing a fully domestic “ground-to-round” antimony trisulphide supply chain, Perpetua says.
“This partnership brings together Perpetua’s antimony resources with INL’s expertise in materials processing to address a critical national security need,” John Wagner, INL Director, said. “Establishing domestic production capabilities for antimony trisulphide essential for munitions and defense systems strengthens America’s supply chain resilience while advancing Idaho’s leadership in critical minerals and
workforce development.”
Critical materials research at INL concentrates on the components essential for energy and national security. INL has expansive expertise, including cutting-edge research areas like mineral characterisation, geochemical modeling and material separation.
The Stibnite gold project is the only identified reserve of antimony in America. The company expects to supply up to 35% of US antimony demand during its first six years of operations while meeting long-term Department of War antimony needs.
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