American Rare Earths welcomed a delegation of elected officials from all levels of government to its flagship La Paz project in a show of bipartisan support for the project.
Bipartisan Delegation at American Rare Earths La Paz Project. Image Credit: American Rare Earths Limited.
American Rare Earths and its work to help secure the United States’ domestic critical minerals supply chain received enthusiastic and encouraging speeches from key members of the group of 25 dignitaries.
Company geologists updated federal, state and county officials and staff on the progress of eight diamond drill holes in the La Paz Southwest Project area. The drill program is aiming for a potential of 740–930 million tons (mt), which would expand the existing JORC resource of 170.6 mt.
The project will help the state play “a pivotal role” in the development of a domestic US supply of rare earths, according to Steve Trussell, Executive Director of the Arizona Mining Association.
Projects like these matter to Arizona because Arizona has an incredible mineral endowment, and we need to secure a domestic supply of these critical minerals. We just need to get these projects quickly permitted to supply what we need, so we're not reliant on other countries for these materials. Arizona is a great destination for mining. We are ranked number two globally as an investment-friendly jurisdiction.
Steve Trussell, Executive Director, Arizona Mining Association
“These minerals and the demand for these minerals are going up exponentially. We're part of the transition to renewable energy. And so, without us, I just don't know how we can get there. Having that domestic supply is going to be of paramount importance,” adds Steve Trussell.
Jamie Kerr, a Vice President of the Arizona Commerce Authority, congratulated American Rare Earths for making “a great start” in advancing rare earths production in the United States.
American Rare Earths is doing wonderful things. The Commerce Authority is here to assist and help them in any way we can to make their project successful.
Jamie Kerr, Vice President, Arizona Commerce Authority
Leo Biasiucci, State Representative at Arizona House of Representatives, highlighted the significance of La Paz to the region with his optimistic comments. “What’s happening here with this huge project … the potential for this is enormous.”
For a very long time, a lot of people didn't think this would be an area that would grow. That's changing. It's changing a lot of things we are doing at the legislature, lowering the taxes, making this business-friendly, getting rid of some of the regulations, so we get projects like this moving forward.
Leo Biasiucci, State Representative, Arizona House of Representatives
Following the success of this latest VIP event, Company executive Marty Weems, President North America, American Rare Earths Limited, will address several dozen State Legislators about La Paz at an event held with the Arizona Mining Association.