Perpetua Resources’ project benefits from expedited permitting under the Trump administration.
The U.S. government has granted final approval for the Stibnite Mine project. The mine, operated by Perpetua Resources, is located in Idaho and will produce gold, silver, and antimony. It is part of a select group of critical mineral projects benefiting from accelerated permitting processes aimed at strengthening domestic supply security (we reported).
According to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, Stibnite is currently the only identified domestic source of antimony. Estimates suggest the mine could supply about 35% of U.S. antimony demand during its first six years of production. Antimony is a critical mineral used in flame retardants, alloys, and ammunition.
In December, China, the world’s main producer, banned exports of antimony and other so-called dual-use materials to the U.S. (as reported earlier). These materials have both civilian and military applications, and the export ban is part of the escalating trade conflict between the two countries. Although gold will be the primary focus of extraction at Stibnite, the presence of antimony makes mining operations more economically viable.
The site was previously operated as a mine from 1899 to 1997. Perpetua plans not only to resume mining but also to carry out environmental remediation of the area. The project’s environmental compliance was confirmed last September. President and CEO Jon Cherry called the recent milestone the culmination of eight years of permitting and studies. The mine’s opening is planned for the third quarter of 2028.
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