Rhyolite Ridge Expecting 'Transformational' Year

Written by Daniel Graeber for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

'Long-term' value is expected from Rhyolite Ridge, the developer said Friday. The facility would produce boron and lithium, components necessary for the modern, digital age.

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Ioneer Expecting Efficiency to Improve

The developer of the Rhyolite Ridge facility, among the few U.S. lithium mining operations, said next year would be a "transformational" one as it approaches a final investment decision.

"The momentum we have built in 2025 gives us confidence that the coming year will mark a transformational period - one in which years of vision, perseverance, and disciplined execution translate into tangible, long-term value," developer Ioneer (Syndey, Australia) said Friday.

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 25,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate, which could yield enough lithium for 370,000 batteries for electric vehicles (EV).

Ioneer believes Rhyolite Ridge holds about 360 million tons of deposits, including 3.4 million tons of lithium carbon equivalent and 14.1 million tons of boric acid equivalent. Collectively, that is some 145% greater than its previous estimate from 2020.

The company on Friday added that tested improvements to its extraction processes means annual lithium production could expand by 28% to 27,000 tons within 25 years, and a 16% increase in boric acid production to 128,000 tons.

"Critically, these gains were achieved with minimal increase in project capital costs and no change to process plant design," Ioneer explained.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) databases can learn more from a related project report and plant profile.

Ioneer enjoyed support of a different kind in November when the U.S. Geological Survey updated its list of critical minerals to include 10 new additions, from boron to lead and metallurgical coal.

U.S. Still in the Early Stage of Development

Boron is critical for the manufacturing of everything from fiberglass to semiconductors. Lithium, often derived from a mineral called spodumene, is near-ubiquitous in the modern digital age of artificial Intelligence and smart phones.

The U.S. government, as part of a broad-based effort to reshore parts of the economy, 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. Progress could be stalled by the volatility in the price of lithium, which could leave some investors on standby.

Ioneer said Rhyolite Ridge enjoys backing from Goldman Sachs, which is supporting efforts to find strategic partnerships.

"Given the current sector and geopolitical environment, we expect this process to conclude within the first half of 2026," the company said.

Apart from domestic mining operations, some developers are looking to recycling to find the critical minerals needed for modern technology. Once disposed, disassembled and shredded, recyclers can draw on the so-called black mass for sources of lithium, cobalt, manganese and other critical minerals. These materials can be extracted from the black mass and reused for new batteries or other applications.

Li-Cycle is one of the largest battery recyclers in North America, with operations in Toronto and New York. Its facility in Rochester could process as much as 35,000 tons of black mass per year for repurposing. Subscribers can see the related project report.

U.S. President Donald Trump began his second non-consecutive term in the White House by signing hundreds of executive orders, including ones that focused on advancing critical minerals at home "contingent on the availability of appropriated funds."

By the Numbers

• 27,000 tons of lithium expected from Rhyolite Ridge
• 10 new additions added to U.S. critical minerals list
• 2026 is when Ioneer expects to see strategic partnerships emerge

Key Takeaways

• Ioneer remains optimistic about U.S. lithium.
• Price volatility for minerals could spook investors.
• Mining isn't the only game in town.

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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).