US Critical Materials Confirms Nation's Highest-Grade Rare Earth and Gallium Deposit
Reducing America's Foreign Dependence: Looking beyond Greenland and Ukraine
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- US Critical Materials Corp., a rare earth exploration and process technology company, is pleased to announce groundbreaking results from its Sheep Creek rare earth deposit in Montana. Independent findings confirm that Sheep Creek holds the highest reported grades of any known deposit in the United States, along with the highest concentrations of gallium—a material essential to national security.
With grades approaching 9% (89,932 ppm) and combined neodymium and praseodymium concentrations of 2.4% (23,810 ppm), as measured by Activation Labs ( actlabs.com), an independent geochemical and geo-metallurgical analysis lab, Sheep Creek surpasses any other known domestic resource. US Critical Materials mineral claims cover approximately 10 square miles. The initial 2.5 square mile site contains over 60 carbonatite formations, underscoring its vast potential.
'US Critical Materials has higher rare earth grades than those found in Greenland and Ukraine,' said Jim Hedrick, President of US Critical Materials, and the former Rare Earth Commodity Specialist at the US Geological Survey (USGS). Mr. Hedrick's career spans over 30 years evaluating geological formations and properties for the U.S. government.
'Recent discussions have highlighted US interest in Ukraine's and Greenland's rare earth deposits. However, according to data from each territory's official Geological Surveys, Sheep Creek's rare earth grades exceed known deposits in these two areas. Furthermore, the scientific verification of Sheep Creek's mineral content is more comprehensive and precise than in Greenland or Ukraine,' stated Hedrick.
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
The company's Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, positions us to be a leader of sustainable, environmentally responsible processing solutions. US Critical Materials is committed to environmentally responsible extraction methods. The Company has extended its CRADA with INL through February 2027. This partnership focuses on refining sustainable separation and processing technologies for carbonatite ore, ensuring minimal environmental impact while maximizing resource efficiency.
Strategic Importance of Sheep Creek
The critical minerals at Sheep Creek are vital for defense and space capabilities, advanced manufacturing, and environmentally-friendly technologies. These findings reinforce the site's strategic significance, particularly as global competition for rare earth resources intensifies. U.S. Critical Materials looks forward to supporting the administration's focus on developing critical mineral sovereignty for national defense.
Gallium: A National Security Imperative
Sheep Creek's high gallium concentrations come at a crucial time, following China's ban on gallium exports to the United States. The measured gallium grades at Sheep Creek range from 180 to 385 ppm— far exceeding the 50ppm that the U.S. had been importing, predominantly from China.
Gallium is a key component in:
Semiconductors and microchips for defense and consumer electronics
Advanced radar, communication systems, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Satellite and space technology
'Over my 30+ year career evaluating properties for the U.S. government, I have never encountered a deposit with the high rare earth and gallium grades being generated at Sheep Creek,' stated Jim Hedrick.
About US Critical Materials
US Critical Materials Corp. is a privately held rare earth exploration and process development company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. With substantial mineral holdings in Montana and Idaho, the company is dedicated to securing a domestically sustainable, high-grade supply of rare earth elements and gallium, reducing US reliance on imports, and ensuring a stable, independent supply chain for national security. We are currently utilizing and developing multiple environmentally friendly technologies for exploration and processing of rare earths and critical minerals.
Media Contact
Brigit Hennaman
212-805-3005
Rachel Winn
Director of Operations
US Critical Materials Corp.
801-322-3401
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