Utah mine discovery could transform america’s clean energy independence with massive critical mineral cache

A groundbreaking mineral discovery in Utah could dramatically reshape America’s clean energy future and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Ionic Minerals Technology has uncovered what may be the largest deposit of critical minerals in the United States at its Silicon Ridge mine, located west of Utah Lake about an hour south of Salt Lake City.

The deposit contains 16 essential minerals embedded in clay deposits, including gallium and germanium used in electronics and fiber-optic cables, plus substantial amounts of halloysite—a key component for faster-charging electric vehicle batteries. What makes this discovery particularly significant is both its scale and extraction method: the minerals are suspended in clay rather than hard rock, allowing for extraction without explosives or chemicals, creating virtually zero waste.

This find comes at a critical time for U.S. energy security. China currently dominates global critical mineral production, controlling about 60% of rare earth supplies and 90% of processing capabilities. Recent Chinese export restrictions sent American companies scrambling for alternative sources, highlighting the strategic vulnerability of relying on a single supplier for materials essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and defense technologies.

The discovery’s timing aligns perfectly with America’s clean energy transition goals. With existing infrastructure nearby and a processing facility already operational in Provo, Ionic MT is positioned to begin extraction rapidly. The project promises hundreds of local jobs while generating revenue for Utah schools through state lease agreements. Utah’s unique 30-million-year-old volcanic formations may harbor additional deposits, potentially triggering what one geologist calls a “halloysite gold rush” throughout the region.