The company aims to ensure a steady antimony supply chain for US consumers.
According to Reuters, the initiative is designed to strengthen the availability of this critical mineral in Western markets. Perpetua intends to launch a request for proposal (RFP) to examine the technical and economic feasibility of off-site processing facilities offered by third-party companies.
The evaluation will consider several factors, including production capacity, financial soundness, environmental performance, and transport reliability. The RFP process will focus on determining viable options for processing part of Perpetua’s 148-million-pound antimony reserve intended for commercial use. The company plans to release the RFP in the coming weeks, with a final decision expected by the fourth quarter of 2025 after a detailed due diligence review.
Perpetua Resources president and CEO Jon Cherry stated: “America needs a secure and robust supply of antimony. Work has been under way between the US Army and Perpetua to advance downstream processing for defence needs; but it is now time we also respond to the needs of the US manufacturing and industrial sectors. We are encouraged by emerging opportunities to expand domestic mineral processing capacity in America and intend to make well-informed, market-based decisions when selecting a partner.”
Recently, Perpetua received conditional approval from the U.S. Forest Service to begin developing the Stibnite Gold Project. The decision was supported by financial assurance bonding agreed upon by the U.S. Forest Service, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Antimony, designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a mineral critical to national security, is widely used in applications such as the production of bullets and solar panels. Perpetua’s strategy to secure domestic processing capacity reflects broader efforts to diversify supply chains and enhance access to materials considered essential for industrial and defence sectors.
Through its upcoming RFP process and planned partnerships, the company aims to balance technical requirements, environmental considerations, and economic viability while supporting long-term growth in the U.S. antimony market. The initiative is expected to provide clarity on processing opportunities by late 2025, enabling Perpetua to move forward with decisions on the commercialization of its reserves.
