WALLACE — Americas Gold and Silver has announced a joint venture with United States Antimony to build and operate an antimony processing plant at the company’s Galena Mine. 

The joint venture will be owned 51% by Americas Gold and Silver (USAS) and 49% by United States Antimony (UAMY). The partnership aims to create a fully domestic, mine‑to‑finished‑product antimony supply chain for a mineral the U.S. considers critical. 

Antimony is a silvery, brittle metal used in flame retardants, specialty alloys, semiconductors and certain batteries. When combined with other materials, it strengthens metals, boosts heat resistance and improves electrical performance, making it essential in electronics, automotive manufacturing and national defense. 

Its strategic value also stems from military applications, including ammunition, infrared equipment and protective materials. Antimony is increasingly important for energy storage and grid‑stability systems as the nation expands renewable power infrastructure. But with the United States importing most of its supply—largely from China—industry and government leaders have prioritized strengthening domestic production. 

In a press release last week, Americas Chairman and CEO Paul Andre Huet said the joint venture is a major development for the company and the Silver Valley. 

“Today’s Agreement with US Antimony to build an antimony processing facility at the Company’s Galena Complex is a major milestone in unlocking significant value for Americas shareholders,” he said. “The JV will provide Americas the opportunity to leverage our position as the largest antimony producer in the United States to become a significant player in the downstream antimony market and realize value being left on the table under our current offtake terms for by-product antimony contained in the silver concentrate produced form Americas Galena Complex.” 

USAS will supply the site, which is already under operating permits, and will sell antimony feed material from the Galena Complex to the JV at market terms. 

UAMY will provide expertise in constructing and operating the facility and will give the JV access to its established antimony marketing network, including government channels. Once required supply agreements are finalized within the next 90 days, U.S. Antimony will purchase the JV’s processed antimony at market rates. 

UAMY Chairman and CEO Gary C. Evans said both companies quickly realized they shared similar approaches, ambitions and a commitment to innovation. He said the partnership allows them to combine management and financial resources to advance U.S. critical‑mineral production while pursuing federal support for the project. 

“We believe we will be ‘fast‑tracking’ to further accomplish that mutual goal,” he said. “Since this project scope directly aligns with the interest and objectives of the various federal government agencies regarding its overall critical mineral objectives, we have already prepared the necessary paperwork for submittal to hopefully achieve government funding.” 

Work on the new processing facility will begin once both companies finalize and approve a shared project budget. Under the agreement, construction must be completed within 18 months after the budget is approved.