Smelt You Later, China: USAC Doubles Down on Domestic Antimony
America’s Only Antimony Smelter Gets a Major Upgrade as USAC and WSP Team Up to Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chain
In a bold move to reinforce America’s strategic supply chain for critical minerals, United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY) announced the formal expansion of its flagship smelting facility in Thompson Falls, Montana—the only active antimony smelter currently operating in the United States. The announcement comes as USAC finalizes contracts with WSP USA Inc., a global leader in engineering and environmental consulting, to deliver a significant increase in processing capacity by year-end.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Antimony, a metal with crucial uses in defense, electronics, and green energy systems, has become a focal point in the geopolitical tug-of-war over supply chain resilience. For USAC, the message is clear: America needs a reliable, domestic source of antimony, and the company is stepping up to lead the charge.
The expansion project is expected to push the Thompson Falls facility to over 300 standard tons per month—representing a sixfold increase in production. And they’re not wasting time. The entire construction and upgrade process is expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2025, all while maintaining uninterrupted operations at the existing smelter. The projected capital expenditure for the project is under $15 million, a number that highlights both the efficiency of the investment and the urgency of the mission.
Gary C. Evans, Chairman and CEO of US Antimony, made it clear that this move is more than just corporate growth—it’s national strategy. “Over the last few months, management has been looking tirelessly at all options available to it regarding how to expand this facility with the understanding that we have a limited footprint on the property we own,” Evans stated. “Additionally, due to the limitations caused by difficult terrain around the perimeter of the property, our growth plans are constrained. We chose WSP due to their size, their significant local presence in the State of Montana, and their broad capability to handle all required parts of our expansion plans.”
This isn’t the company’s only play. Just last week, USAC initiated operations at its Madero Smelter in Mexico. When paired with the expanded throughput capacity in Montana, US Antimony is now on track to meet its ambitious goal of producing 500 tons of antimony per month before 2026 kicks off. That’s not just growth. That’s transformation.
WSP’s involvement brings serious technical muscle to the table. With a global team of over 23,000 environmental professionals and a mining team of 5,200 experts, WSP has established itself as a powerhouse in engineering, earth sciences, and sustainability. Randy Huffsmith, P.E., BCEE, and a representative of WSP, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, noting, “We acknowledge the critical importance of enhancing production capacity while maintaining our industry standard of environmental compliance and operational efficiency.”
For a company like USAC, which already operates antimony and precious metal processing facilities in both the U.S. and Mexico, this expansion fits within a broader vision. The Company produces antimony oxide—used in flame retardants, paints, and light bulbs; antimony metal—for ordnance, bearings, and batteries; and antimony trisulfide—for ammunition primers. They also recover gold and silver from third-party ore and mine zeolite at their facility in Idaho, which has applications ranging from water filtration to nuclear waste management.
What makes this latest move so compelling isn’t just the numbers or even the market demand. It’s the timing. As the U.S. government sounds the alarm over its overreliance on foreign suppliers for critical minerals, companies like USAC are poised to take on a new level of importance. This is especially true for antimony—a mineral designated as “critical” by the U.S. Geological Survey, with over 90% of global production currently controlled by China.
With that geopolitical backdrop, the Thompson Falls expansion is more than a business milestone—it’s a signal flare. It tells investors, policymakers, and competitors that USAC is not only alive and kicking, it’s aggressively scaling.
There’s also a growing awareness among institutional stakeholders that antimony, much like lithium or rare earth elements, is becoming a vital cog in the energy transition. Whether it's being used in flame retardant materials for EV batteries, as a stabilizing agent in semiconductors, or as a key component in military-grade munitions, antimony’s importance is rapidly evolving—and USAC knows it.
Just last year, the Company expanded its footprint with new mining claims in Alaska and Ontario and leased a metals concentration facility in Montana. These moves complement their smelting and refining capabilities and suggest that USAC is preparing to play the long game—diversifying its resource base and extending its value chain.
As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, what USAC is doing in Thompson Falls could have ripple effects well beyond Montana. This isn’t just about increasing tonnage or improving margins. It’s about reshoring industrial capacity, securing America’s economic independence, and proving that small-cap companies can have outsized geopolitical impact.
With WSP’s expertise and a laser-focused leadership team, USAC’s transformation is well underway. The real question now is how fast others will follow—and whether the U.S. government will double down on supporting domestic producers that can deliver on both performance and patriotism.
Conclusion
United States Antimony Corporation is making a decisive leap forward, not just for its own bottom line, but for America’s critical mineral independence. With a sixfold production increase on the way, a strategic partnership with WSP, and parallel operations in Mexico, USAC is building a vertically integrated platform for antimony supply that could become a cornerstone of U.S. economic and national security. In a market dominated by Chinese exports and fragile global supply chains, this expansion is more than a corporate project—it’s a statement of intent.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available sources believed to be accurate at the time of writing. We do not claim to have any insider knowledge or direct communication with United States Antimony Corporation, WSP USA Inc., or any individuals mentioned herein. This content does not constitute investment advice, nor should it be relied upon to make financial decisions. We do not have any financial interest in United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY), hold no shares, and have no formal affiliation or working relationship with the company or its partners. Always conduct your own due diligence and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.