Perpetua Resources Corp. (NASDAQ: PPTA) has entered into an agreement with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), administered through Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, to host, commission, and operate a flexible, modular pilot processing plant that will recover antimony trisulfide from the company’s Stibnite Gold Project ores. The pilot plant is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of producing high‑quality, military‑specification antimony trisulfide, a critical component for munitions and advanced defense systems.
The partnership is backed by a total of $22.4 million in DOTC awards, including a $6.9 million grant received in May 2025 that brings the cumulative award to $22.4 million. The funding validates the U.S. Army’s confidence in Perpetua’s technology and provides the capital needed to de‑risk the larger Stibnite project, which is the only identified antimony reserve in the United States.
By establishing a domestic source of antimony, the pilot plant addresses a key national‑security vulnerability. China dominates global antimony production and processing, and the U.S. currently imports nearly all refined antimony. Perpetua’s initiative therefore aligns with federal priorities to secure critical‑mineral supply chains and reduces dependence on foreign sources.
Perpetua remains a development‑stage company. While the partnership marks a significant operational milestone, the company has yet to achieve profitability and continues to rely on equity and debt financing. Management has indicated that a full production decision is expected in spring 2026, with commercial production targeted for 2029. The pilot plant’s success will be a prerequisite for securing offtake agreements and additional financing.
Jon Cherry, President and CEO, said, “Partnering with INL strengthens America’s defense capabilities and demonstrates our 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.” John Wagner, INL Director, added, “This partnership brings together Perpetua’s antimony resources with INL’s expertise to address a critical national‑security need, strengthening supply‑chain resilience while advancing Idaho’s leadership in critical minerals.”
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