Lodestar Minerals Discovers High-Grade Heavy Rare Earths in Arizona, Boosting US Strategic Supplies

Published: Mar 31, 2026 22:51

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Lodestar Minerals disclosed that mineralogical studies at its Virgin Mountain project in Arizona, US, confirmed the presence of high-grade heavy rare earths with xenotime as the principal mineral, including high proportions of dysprosium, terbium, and lutetium—three high-value elements that are in critically short domestic supply in the US and are vital to national defense systems. China currently accounts for most of the global production of the above heavy rare earths and has imposed export restrictions. Lodestar said the findings highlight the project's strategic value and will help the company secure funding and establish partnerships.

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