American Resources and ReElement Technologies Expand Long-Term Antimony Refining Contract

Rhea-AI Summary

American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) and its portfolio company ReElement Technologies have expanded their antimony tolling agreement from 5 to 10 years. ReElement has demonstrated capability to achieve >99.7% pure antimony(III) sulfide from stibnite ore. The initial phase projects annual tolling revenues exceeding $29 million, processing approximately 500 metric tons of stibnite ore monthly. This expansion comes amid China's export ban on antimony to the US since September 2024. The refined antimony products will serve both defense and commercial markets, with applications in ammunition, missiles, flame retardants, batteries, and solar panels. The global Antimony(III) oxide market, valued at $852 million in 2023, is projected to reach $1.43 billion by 2034, growing at 4.9% annually.

Positive

• Extended contract duration from 5 to 10 years with automatic renewals, ensuring long-term revenue stability
• Projected annual tolling revenues exceeding $29 million from initial phase
• Demonstrated high refining capability achieving >99.7% pure antimony(III) sulfide
• Strategic positioning to serve both defense and commercial markets amid China's export ban
• Significant growth potential aligned with rising domestic demand and projected market growth

Negative

• Heavy dependence on stibnite ore supply chain for operations
• Potential exposure to geopolitical risks and trade tensions with China
• Processing capacity currently limited to 500 metric tons monthly

Insights

Critical Minerals Industry Analyst

AREC's 10-year antimony refining contract strengthens domestic supply capabilities amid Chinese export restrictions, with $29M annual revenue potential.

ReElement Technologies' extended antimony tolling agreement represents a significant strategic positioning in a critical minerals market increasingly affected by geopolitical tensions. The company has demonstrated technical capability to produce antimony compounds at >99.7% purity - meeting stringent specifications required for both defense and commercial applications.

The expansion from five to ten years comes at a particularly opportune moment. China's December 2024 export ban on antimony to the U.S. created substantial supply chain vulnerabilities for this strategic mineral, which is essential for ammunition, flame retardants, batteries, and solar technologies. With global antimony oxide markets valued at $852 million in 2023 and projected CAGR of 4.9% through 2034, ReElement is positioning for both immediate revenue and long-term growth.

The initial processing capacity of 500 metric tons monthly of stibnite ore translates to approximately $29 million in annual tolling revenue. This represents a high-margin opportunity as the refining process leverages ReElement's existing technology platform with minimal adaptation costs.

What's particularly noteworthy is the company's multi-site strategy, with initial production at their Marion, Indiana facility while evaluating additional domestic and international locations. This approach creates production redundancy that mitigates supply chain risks for defense applications while enabling potential capacity scaling as demand increases.

The security implications cannot be overstated - antimony is critical for military applications including munitions and missiles, making domestic refining capability a matter of national security interest, especially following China's export restrictions.

ReElement has successfully demonstrated advanced refining capabilities achieving >99.7% pure antimony(III) sulfide from antimony ore (stibnite)

The tolling agreement has been extended from five years to ten years, strengthening ReElement's position to supply both commercial and defense markets with high-purity antimony(III) sulfide and antimony(III) oxide

FISHERS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) ("American Resources" or the "Company"), along with its portfolio company, ReElement Technologies Corporation ("ReElement"), a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity of rare earth and critical battery elements, is pleased to announce the expansion of their previously announced antimony tolling agreement. Under the updated terms, ReElement will refine shipments of stibnite ore at its central Indiana refining facilities into of ultra-pure antimony(iii) sulfide or antimony(iii) oxide. The purified and refined antimony products will serve both domestic defense and commercial industries at market index-based pricing, while the extended 10-year term - with automatic renewals - supports long-term supply agreements. Initial tolling revenues from the first phase of contracted volumes are projected to exceed $29 million annually, with substantial growth potential aligned with rising domestic demand.

Mark Jensen, CEO of American Resources Corporation and ReElement Technologies Corporation commented, "Through close collaboration with our partners, we collectively recognized that extending the contract duration delivers greater value for all stakeholders - including our commercial and defense customers. Antimony plays a critical role in a wide range of applications, from lead-acid batteries to munitions, and represents a highly economical product for us to refine using our advanced, proven technologies. As we ramp up initial antimony refining capacity at our Marion, Indiana facility - and evaluate additional sites both domestically and internationally - we're confident in our ability to scale this agreement and expand into additional feedstock opportunities."

Antimony(III) oxide and Antimony(III) sulfide are the most commercially significant compounds of antimony and are found in various ore bodies. In 2023, the global Antimony(III) oxide market was valued at approximately $852 million and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.9% through 2034, reaching an estimated $1.43 billion. Antimony is primarily used in ammunition, missiles, flame retardants, batteries, and solar panels.

On December 3^rd, 2024 China announced a ban on exports of the critical minerals such as Gallium, Germanium and Antimony to the United States, following export restrictions on antimony in September, 2024. These critical minerals have widespread roles in military applications, and the ban further escalated trade tensions just a day after Washington D.C.'s latest crackdown on China's semiconductor sector.

The antimony ore partnership is initially commencing at approximately 500 metric tons per month of stibnite ore for processing and refinement at ReElement, with the ability to significantly expand such volumes based on market demand.

About American Resources Corporation

American Resources Corporation is a leader in the critical mineral supply chain, developing innovative solutions both upstream and downstream of the refining process. The company and its affiliates focus on the extraction and processing of metallurgical carbon and iron ore, essential ingredients in steelmaking, as well as critical and rare earth minerals for the electrification market and recycled metals.

Leveraging its affiliation and former parent status of ReElement Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements, American Resources is investing in and developing efficient upstream and downstream critical mineral operations. These operations include mining interests in conventional and unconventional sources, recycling, and manufacturing.

American Resources has established a nimble, low-cost business model centered on growth, which provides a significant opportunity to scale its portfolio of assets to meet the growing global infrastructure and electrification markets while also continuing to acquire operations and significantly reduce their legacy industry risks. Its streamlined and efficient operations are able to maximize margins while reducing costs. For more information visit americanresourcescorp.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About ReElement Technologies Corporation

ReElement Technologies Corporation, a portfolio company of American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC), is a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements. Its multi-mineral, multi-feedstock platform technology focuses on the refining of recycled material from rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries, concentrated ores and brines, as well as coal-based waste streams and byproducts to create a cost effective and environmentally-safe, circular supply chain. ReElement has developed its innovative and scalable "Powered by ReElement" process which collaboratively utilizes its exclusively licensed intellectual property within its partners' material processing flow sheets to more efficiently support the global supply chain's growing demand for magnet and battery-grade products. For more information visit reelementtech.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Learn more about ReElement Technologies' process and technology here - Video.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond American Resources Corporation's control. The words "believes", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", "continue", "seeks", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intends", "estimates", or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

Investor Contact:

JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
(908) 824 - 0775
arec@jtcir.com

Media Inquiries:

Marjorie Weisskohl
703-587-1532
mweisskohl@allseasonspr.com

Company Contact:

Mark LaVerghetta
317-855-9926 ext. 0
investor@americanresourcescorp.com

SOURCE: American Resources Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the value of AREC's antimony refining contract extension?

The initial phase of the contract is projected to generate over $29 million in annual tolling revenues, with potential for substantial growth based on market demand.

How does China's antimony export ban affect AREC's business?

The ban creates an opportunity for AREC to become a key domestic supplier of refined antimony products for both defense and commercial markets in the US.

What is ReElement's monthly processing capacity for antimony ore?

ReElement's initial processing capacity is approximately 500 metric tons of stibnite ore per month, with potential for significant expansion based on market demand.

What is the purity level achieved by ReElement's antimony refining process?

ReElement has demonstrated the capability to achieve greater than 99.7% pure antimony(III) sulfide from antimony ore (stibnite).

What are the main applications for AREC's refined antimony products?

The refined antimony products are used in ammunition, missiles, flame retardants, batteries, and solar panels, serving both defense and commercial industries.