Company Targets First Acidspar Deliveries Later This Year to Fulfill Strategic Pentagon Contract

 

Vancouver, B.C. - TheNewswire - January 27, 2026 – Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CSE: ARS) (OTC: ARSMF) (FRA: N8I1) is pleased to announce that, following its recent $168.9 million estimated award under the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and a newly launched $10 million private placement, the Company is accelerating construction of its acidspar flotation plant in Utah. This strategic move positions Ares to begin first deliveries of acid-grade fluorspar (acidspar) later this year, advancing the Company's role as the sole domestic supplier of this U.S.-designated critical mineral.

 

“This is a defining moment for Ares,” said James Walker, CEO of Ares Strategic Mining. “Our flotation plant is now a top-priority build. With strong government support, market demand, and financing in place, we’re pushing forward to ensure on-time delivery under our DoD contract and to support our uplist plans for later this year.”

 

Construction Acceleration: Delivering Ahead of Schedule

The acidspar flotation plant is a critical component of Ares’ vertically integrated strategy to produce high-purity fluorspar for use in:

• Defense systems national stockpiles 

• Hydrofluoric acid and fluorochemical industries 

• Semiconductors and EV battery supply chains 

The plant’s construction will now proceed on an expedited timeline, funded in part by the proceeds of a newly announced non-brokered private placement offering of up to $10,000,000 CAD, launched under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption in Canada

 

National Impact, Global Implications

The U.S. has been 100% import-dependent on fluorspar for decades – until now. With the Lost Sheep Mine advancing, the flotation plant nearing completion, and a $250M contract ceiling under the DLA IDIQ, Ares is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of America’s domestic acidspar supply.

“We’re aligned with national priorities and uniquely positioned to deliver. Investors, partners, and government agencies are recognizing that Ares isn’t just building a mine – we’re rebuilding a critical American supply chain,” added Walker.

 

Next Milestones

• Complete flotation plant foundation and mechanical installations 

• Begin first acidspar processing runs 

• Execute first deliveries under the DoD contract 

• Advance uplisting process to a senior exchange 

  

Private Placement Details – $10M to Power Strategic Projects

Ares announces a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 16,666,666 units (each, a “Unit”) at a price of $0.60 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $10,000,000 (the “Offering”).

 

Each Unit shall consist of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each, a “Common Share”) and one-half (1/2) of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will be exercisable into one (1) Common Share (each, a “Warrant Share”) at a price of $0.75 per Warrant Share for a period of two (2) years following the closing date of the Offering.

 

There is an offering document (the “Offering Document”) related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at www.aresmining.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.

 

As disclosed in the Offering Document, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for to further develop its Lost Sheet fluorspar project in the State of Utah, for the repayment of certain outstanding debts and for general and corporate working capital purposes. Finders’ fees may be paid to eligible arm’s length persons with respect to certain subscriptions accepted by the Company.

 

The Units offered as a part of the Offering shall be offered to purchasers in each of the Provinces of Canada, with the exception of Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the “Listed Issuer Financing Exemption”), and in other qualifying jurisdictions. Units offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to resale restrictions for Canadian resident investors pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

 

The Offering is anticipated to close in one or more tranches, with the final tranche of the Offering closing within 45 days from the date hereof. The closing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the Company’s completion of its filing obligations under the policies of the CSE.

 

The Company further announces that the proposed offering of up to 22,222,222 units at a price of $0.45 per unit that was announced on December 4, 2025 (the “December LIFE Offering”) did not close within the deadline set out in Section 5A.4(2) of NI 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106”).

 

None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

ARES STRATEGIC MINING INC.

James Walker

Chief Executive Officer and President

For further information, please contact James Walker by email at jwalker@aresmining.com

DISCLOSURE AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Offering, including the total anticipated proceeds, the expected use of proceeds and the closing (including the proposed closing date) of the Offering. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Company will close the Offering on the timeline anticipated, will raise the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Offering and will use the proceeds of the Offering as anticipated. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company’s management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include: the risk that the Offering does not close on the timeline expected, or at all; the risk that the Company raises less than the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Offering; the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the Offering as currently expected; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined and the risk that exploration and development activities will cost more than the amount budgeted for such activities by the Company; risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals; risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions; access and supply risks; risks associated with the Company’s reliance on key personnel; operational risks; regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; financing, capitalization and liquidity risks; title and environmental risks; and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

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