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Our Fluorspar
Flotation Plant
What is the Flotation Plant?
ARES is advancing the next stage of its U.S. fluorspar processing strategy - the Flotation Plant, designed to upgrade fluorspar to acidspar, approximately 97% purity for higher-value industrial applications.
Located adjacent to the Lumps Plant in Delta, Utah, the Flotation Plant is expected to significantly expand Ares’ production capabilities.
Construction of the Flotation Plant is set to begin in Q3 2026, and is expected to be completed Q2 2027.
Drawings of the Flotation Plant and the Acidspar product
What is Acid-grade Fluorspar?
Acid-grade fluorspar, or acidspar, is the highest-purity form of fluorspar and a critical raw material for the chemical, energy, and advanced manufacturing industries.
Acidspar typically contains 97% or more calcium fluoride (CaF₂), making it suitable for applications that require high-purity fluorine compounds.
Its primary applications include:
Hydrofluoric acid production – The primary use of acidspar, producing hydrofluoric acid (HF), a key chemical used across a wide range of industrial processes.
Uranium enrichment – Fluorspar is used to produce the hydrofluoric acid required to convert uranium into forms suitable for enrichment, supporting the nuclear fuel cycle.
Fluorochemicals and refrigeration – Used in the production of fluorine-based chemicals, including refrigerants.
Lithium-ion batteries and advanced manufacturing – Fluorine compounds derived from acidspar are increasingly important in battery materials, semiconductors, and other high-technology applications.
Acidspar commands a premium over lower-grade metallurgical fluorspar (metspar) due to its higher purity and broader range of high-value applications, approximately $550/MT.
The U.S. has historically relied heavily on imported acid-grade fluorspar, with imports accounting for 85–90% of U.S. usage, creating significant supply vulnerability.
Flotation Plant
Ready for Assembly
Construction of the Flotation Plant will begin following completion of the Lumps Plant, with construction crews transitioning directly to the new facility. The Lumps Plant provides the initial processing stage for the acidspar circuit, meaning much of the Flotation Plant process has already been constructed and completed, with operations targeted for the first half of 2027.
Once operational, the Flotation Plant is expected to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of high-grade fluorspar annually, supporting ARES strategy to build a scalable, vertically integrated domestic fluorspar operation.
Catch the latest updates on the Flotation Plant:
Secured Offtake Agreements
ARES was awarded a US$168.9 million contract, with a ceiling of up to US$250 million, by the U.S. Department of Defense to supply acidspar in support of the rebuilding of U.S. stockpiles.
ARES expects to begin supplying acidspar to the DoD ahead of the five-year schedule at a premium price avgeraging $600/MT.
The contract supports the sale, distribution, and stockpiling of approximately 280,000 tonnes of fluorspar over a five year duration.
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