• Ares has ramped up operations at its Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project in Utah, with construction crews and equipment now active on site. 

• Provo Mining and its team have officially returned, restarting mine development and plant construction and completing the underground ventilation system. 

• Construction of the processing plant has resumed, with foundational, mechanical, and electrical work underway. 

• The Company has begun building up personnel, with additional crews scheduled to join as site activities scale. 

• Ares recently secured $11 million in funding, which is driving the accelerated pace of development and positioning the Company for near-term production. 

 

Vancouver, B.C. – TheNewswire - 16th June 2025 – Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (the “Company”) (CSE: ARS) (OTC: ARSMF) (FRA: N8I1) is excited to announce the active ramp-up of operations at its Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project in Utah, with development partner Provo Mining and their expert team now on site and working. Construction crews have returned, equipment is mobilized, and physical work has already commenced to prepare the mine and processing plant for full-scale operations. The current work will focus on completing plant construction for both the metallurgical lumps plant and the flotation plant and completing the secondary ventilation system for the underground mining and pulling. This will be followed by mining.

 

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Underground Equipment Resume Underground Development

  

This marks a major milestone for Ares as it enters the next phase of its strategic plan to become the only domestic producer of fluorspar in the United States, a critical mineral essential to industries ranging from steelmaking and aluminum to lithium batteries and nuclear energy. With fluorspar designated as a critical mineral by the U.S. government, this operational resurgence is perfectly timed with growing national and industrial demand.

 

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Crews Returning to Operations

 

The Company is pleased to confirm that construction of its processing plant has now officially restarted, with foundational, mechanical, and electrical work progressing rapidly. Ares has begun the build-up of mining and plant personnel, with additional teams scheduled to arrive over the coming weeks. All developments are aligned with the Company’s production timeline, targeting near-term operations and revenue generation.

 

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Anticipated Roadmap to Production

 

A Bold Step Toward Production and Cash Flow

With all required permits in place, infrastructure development accelerating, and a recently secured $11 million in funding, Ares is now fully capitalized to advance its project into production. This significant financial backing is directly powering the renewed momentum on-site, enabling the Company to scale up construction, expand crews, and fast-track the development of its processing plant. Ares is now in its strongest position to date, moving decisively from planning to execution and unlocking the full value of its unique critical mineral asset.

 

James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, stated: “This is a momentous step forward for Ares. The return of Provo Mining to site, the mobilization of crews, and the recommencement of construction activities mark the beginning of our transformation from explorer to producer. With strong market fundamentals, increasing global demand for fluorspar, and a facility being readied for production, we are closer than ever to becoming a leading U.S. critical mineral supplier.”

 

Unlocking Value for Shareholders

Ares’ return to site and construction restart comes at a time of intensifying global focus on domestic supply chains and strategic minerals. With near-term production potential, U.S.-based infrastructure, and a compelling growth trajectory, Ares is well-positioned to deliver long-term value to shareholders.

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Site Works at the Delta, Utah Processing Facilities

The Company anticipates further updates in the coming weeks as site activities accelerate and milestones are achieved.

 

In 2018 the U.S. government classified fluorspar as a Critical Mineral, “deemed critical to U.S. national security and the economy.” Fluorspar remains the only non-metallic Critical Mineral, which is 100% imported in the entire country. Fluorspar’s classification as a Critical Mineral in the United States translates to a faster permitting period, enabling mining operations to initiate more quickly than operations for conventional minerals.

 

About Ares Strategic Mining

Ares Strategic Mining Inc. is a mining company focused on the development of its fluorspar projects in the U.S. The Company aims to become a significant supplier of high-grade fluorspar to North American markets, supporting industries vital to modern technology and infrastructure.

 

Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project – Delta, Utah

• 100% owned – 5,982 acres – 353 Claims 

• Located in the Spor Mountain area, Juab County, Utah, approximately 214 km south-west of Salt Lake City.  

• Fully Permitted – including mining permits. 

• NI 43-101 Technical Report identified extensive high-grade fluorspar with low levels of impurities. 

• Mining plan approved by BLM1 

 First approved by Rex Rowley – Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management – 24th August 1992.

 Renewed by Paul B. Baker – Minerals Program Manager, Bureau of Land Management – 12th December 2016.

  

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:

Companies typically rely on comprehensive feasibility reports on mineral reserve estimates to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with a production decision. Historically, situations where the issuer decides to put a mineral project into production without first establishing mineral reserves supported by a technical report and completing a feasibility study have a higher risk of economic or technical failure, though some industrial mineral ventures are relatively simple operations with low levels of investment and risk, where the operating entity has determined that a formal prefeasibility or feasibility study in conformance with NI 43-101 and 43-101 CP is not required for a production decision. Based on historical engineering work, geological reports, historical production data and current engineering work completed or in the process by Ares, the Company intends to move forward with the development of its Utah asset. 

 

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

 

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