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Released November 20, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Written by Daniel Graeber for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)
The U.S. Geological Survey last week updated its list of critical minerals to include 10 new additions, from boron to lead and metallurgical coal. Bernard Rowe, the managing director of developer Ioneer (Sydney, Australia), said the addition of boron highlights its growing importance in modern industries.
"This designation validates what we've said for years: that Rhyolite Ridge is not just a lithium project - it is a critical supply solution for two essential minerals, both of which underpin our clean energy future and national economic competitiveness," he said in a statement Wednesday.
,br> The company is proposing a $640 million facility in Nevada that would boast net production of 20 million tons of material per day. An on-site production plant would yield more than 20,600 tons per year of lithium carbonate, which could yield enough lithium for 370,000 electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Boron is critical for the manufacturing of everything from fiberglass to semiconductors.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) databases can learn more from a detailed project report and plant profile .
Construction was set to begin as early as this year, but has faced setbacks due to a slump in lithium prices. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management completed its review of the project in late 2024, spelling out the specifics for a facility that would include everything from the mine itself to water-storage facilities, disturbing about 2,200 acres of federally-administrated land.
The U.S. government is working to build up a domestic sector for lithium and lithium-ion batteries with incentives. Steep tariffs, meanwhile, are in place for some critical materials, leaving Ioneer upbeat about its prospects in Nevada.
The company said it could produce both lithium and boron through the same processing streams. It's optimized its lithium extraction procedures, meaning it could increase its annual throughput of 3 million tons of ore to 3.4 million.
Ioneer still needs to find a strategic partner and make a final investment decision on Rhyolite Ridge before construction can begin. James Calaway, the company's board chairman, said the facility could be an essential part of the domestic supply chain.
"Upon completion, we will have secured not only a partner, but also a foundation for enduring value creation," he said. "This is an essential step toward transforming Rhyolite Ridge into a globally significant, vertically integrated lithium-boron operation -- one that helps anchor the United States' position as a large producer of both, lithium chemicals suitable for direct use in battery production, and boric acid, essential to national security applications."
Key Takeaways
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
Summary
The company behind a proposed Nevada mine for lithium and boron praised a revision to a U.S. list of critical minerals. The company believes it can concentrate both through the same processes.Boron Added to U.S. List
The developer of the proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mining facility praised the addition of boron to a critical minerals list, while boasting of its overall improvements in processing capabilities.The U.S. Geological Survey last week updated its list of critical minerals to include 10 new additions, from boron to lead and metallurgical coal. Bernard Rowe, the managing director of developer Ioneer (Sydney, Australia), said the addition of boron highlights its growing importance in modern industries.
"This designation validates what we've said for years: that Rhyolite Ridge is not just a lithium project - it is a critical supply solution for two essential minerals, both of which underpin our clean energy future and national economic competitiveness," he said in a statement Wednesday.
,br> The company is proposing a $640 million facility in Nevada that would boast net production of 20 million tons of material per day. An on-site production plant would yield more than 20,600 tons per year of lithium carbonate, which could yield enough lithium for 370,000 electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Boron is critical for the manufacturing of everything from fiberglass to semiconductors.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) databases can learn more from a detailed project report and plant profile .
Rhyolite Ridge Advancing
Ioneer believes Rhyolite Ridge holds about 360 million tons of net deposits, including 3.4 million tons of lithium carbon equivalent and 14.1 million tons of boric acid equivalent. Collectively, that estimate is some 145% greater than the previous estimate from 2020.Construction was set to begin as early as this year, but has faced setbacks due to a slump in lithium prices. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management completed its review of the project in late 2024, spelling out the specifics for a facility that would include everything from the mine itself to water-storage facilities, disturbing about 2,200 acres of federally-administrated land.
The U.S. government is working to build up a domestic sector for lithium and lithium-ion batteries with incentives. Steep tariffs, meanwhile, are in place for some critical materials, leaving Ioneer upbeat about its prospects in Nevada.
The company said it could produce both lithium and boron through the same processing streams. It's optimized its lithium extraction procedures, meaning it could increase its annual throughput of 3 million tons of ore to 3.4 million.
Ioneer still needs to find a strategic partner and make a final investment decision on Rhyolite Ridge before construction can begin. James Calaway, the company's board chairman, said the facility could be an essential part of the domestic supply chain.
"Upon completion, we will have secured not only a partner, but also a foundation for enduring value creation," he said. "This is an essential step toward transforming Rhyolite Ridge into a globally significant, vertically integrated lithium-boron operation -- one that helps anchor the United States' position as a large producer of both, lithium chemicals suitable for direct use in battery production, and boric acid, essential to national security applications."
Key Takeaways
- Ioneer hails the addition of boron to the government's critical minerals list.
- The company said it has improved processing capacity at Rhyolite Ridge.
- The BLM sanctioned the project late last year.
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
