SARATOGA SPRINGS — A Utah-based company announced it has uncovered 16 critical minerals and rare earth elements at Silicon Ridge in Utah County’s Lake Mountains.
The findings by Ionic Mineral Technologies validate one of North America’s most significant holdings of the strategically vital materials, establishing a domestic source for elements essential for advanced AI semiconductor chips, permanent magnets, defense surveillance systems and energy technologies, according to a release posted on Business Wire.
Independent assays from ALS Chemex confirm the deposit as a halloysite-hosted ion-adsorption clay — the same geological formation that supplies approximately 35%-40% of China’s total rare earth production and over 70% of the world’s heavy rare earth elements.
The discovery includes enriched grades of critical technology metals, including gallium, germanium, rubidium, cesium, scandium, lithium, vanadium, tungsten, niobium and a full suite of light and heavy rare earths.
An aerial view of Silicon Ridge in Utah County, where a mineral discovery was made. Ionic Mineral Technologies announced the discovery of 16 critical minerals and rare earth elements. (Photo: Ionic Mineral Technologies)
US vulnerabilities for critical minerals, rare earth elements
The strategic importance of the deposit is underscored by China’s December 2024 export ban on gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States, combined with April 2025 export licensing requirements on critical rare earth elements like lutetium, scandium and yttrium globally.
Ionic’s Andre Zeitoun, founder and CEO, said the company has downstream mining operations that include extraction of alumina and nano-silicone.
This summer, it discovered the halloysite clay is the glue that collectively contains these 16 critical minerals and rare earth elements in a 600-acre exploration area of the 8,000 acres it leases from Utah’s school trust lands.
“At first we thought we were hallucinating,” he said.
The company initiated a preliminary economic assessment by a third party, targeted for completion next year.
“This has huge implications for Utah in so many ways,” he said.
A huge benefit is the materials extracted from the clay will produce practically zero waste using a low emissions process.
The Government Accountability Office has identified critical material shortfalls exceeding $18.5 billion, with the Pentagon recently moving to secure a $2 billion emergency stockpile of strategic minerals in response to these supply chain vulnerabilities, according to Business Wire.
Utah’s role in the mineral space
Utah’s geographic features, however, make it home to a vast number of mineral deposits throughout the state.
According to a report by the Utah Geological Survey, Utah produces or can produce 40 of the 50 minerals defined as critical by the Department of Energy.
Utah is the only domestic source of magnesium production, one of two states currently extracting lithium, and the world’s largest producer of beryllium. These efforts are vital to national security and will become more important as geopolitical tension threatens mineral supply chains around the world.
The US Magnesium Rowley Plant in Tooele County is pictured on June 18, 2021. The Utah Geological Survey says the state can produce 40 minerals defined as critical by the Department of Energy. (Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
Utah’s role as a key player in this arena has garnered support from elected officials.
“Utah is once again proving we have the greatest resources, vision and determination to power America’s future,” said Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton.
“Ionic Mineral Technologies’ work at Silicon Ridge is the prime example of how responsible development creates jobs, strengthens our national security and builds resilient, American-made supply chains. Our state is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to cleaner energy by developing next-generation resources right in our own backyard. By doing so, we reduce reliance on foreign nations and secure America’s energy future.”
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, was also encouraged by the discovery.
“Our energy and national security depend on having a reliable supply of critical minerals and Utah is uniquely positioned to lead the way,” Schultz said.
“This project shows what Utah does best: using our natural resources, strong infrastructure, and innovative industry to solve big challenges and embrace big opportunities. Ionic Mineral Technologies is helping us reduce dependence on foreign adversaries while creating new opportunities and long-term stability for Utah families and our economy.”
The project is located on state-leased lands with active mining permits and is supported by Ionic MT’s existing 74,000-square-foot permitted processing facility in Provo, enabling a rapid timeline to commercial production.
Other reading: Rare earth minerals found in Utah, Colorado, are critical for cleaner energy sources
