Resolution Minerals (ASX: RML) has completed the acquisition of the Johnson Creek tungsten and antimony processing mill, associated infrastructure, and tungsten ore stockpiles adjacent to its Horse Heaven project in Idaho.
The acquisition further positions the company as a US-focused critical minerals developer with potential in-house processing capability for antimony, tungsten, and gold.
Completion of the transaction secures the Johnson Creek processing mill, associated infrastructure, and two historical tungsten ore stockpiles mined from the former Golden Gate mine containing an estimated 2,000 tonnes of tungsten ore.
The acquisition also includes industrial water rights, electrical infrastructure, and the ability to sustain workshop, storage, accommodation, and support facilities across approximately 25 acres of private land adjoining the Horse Heaven project.
Resolution sees securing a strategic base of operations directly adjacent to Horse Heaven materially strengthening its downstream processing pathway and enhances its ability to fast-track potential production of antimony, tungsten and gold.
Golden Gate History and Expansion Potential
Tungsten exploration and development at Golden Gate began in the late 1940s, with open pit mining commencing in the early 1950s and ore initially processed at the Stibnite mine, mill, and smelter until its closure in 1952.
Records indicate that 1,814 tons of tungsten were mined and milled in the 1950s at an average grade of 1.5% tungsten trioxide (WO3), with 227 tons mined and processed in 1973 at an average grade of 2.03% WO3, and 456.6 tons stockpiled in 1977 at an average grade of 1.8% WO3.
Resolution considers that significant potential exists to discover additional tungsten mineralisation along approximately 3 kilometres of strike on the Golden Gate Fault and at other emerging targets across the 100%-owned Horse Heaven project.
The project covers approximately 59 square kilometres in the Boise National Forest adjacent to the fully permitted Stibnite gold project operated by Perpetua Resources.
Strategic Positioning in US Critical Minerals
Resolution said the acquisition delivers a fast-track pathway to antimony and tungsten production in the US and positions Horse Heaven as a potential critical metals processing hub.
The company also believes the transaction enhances its ability to pursue US government funding and strategic partnerships while strengthening potential for offtake agreements with defence and industrial customers.
The mill will enable downstream integration opportunities including smelting and refining and provide a secure operational base for exploration, mining and future expansion.
“Completion of this acquisition represents a pivotal leap in Resolution’s strategy to become a US-based critical minerals producer,” managing director Ari Zaetz said.
“Securing a processing location alongside our Horse Heaven project significantly accelerates our pathway toward planned antimony and tungsten production and strengthens our ability to support Western supply chain security.”
