AT4 Submits Drilling Permit, Refurbishes Mill to Unlock Dutch Mountain Tungsten Potential

Strategic Move into US Tungsten Exploration

American Tungsten & Antimony Ltd (ASX:AT4) has taken a significant step forward in its US critical minerals ambitions by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) to commence exploration drilling at the historic Fraction Lode tungsten mine, part of its Dutch Mountain Project in Utah. This move signals a transition from acquisition to active development, as the company seeks to confirm and expand known tungsten mineralisation in a district with a rich mining heritage.

The Fraction Lode mine, historically productive and located within trucking distance of AT4’s recently acquired and fully permitted Dutch Mountain processing mill, offers a near-term opportunity to revitalise tungsten production in the region. The mill refurbishment is already underway, positioning AT4 to potentially fast-track processing without the delays often associated with federal permitting.

Dutch Mountain Processing Hub: A Bottleneck Solution

The Dutch Mountain processing facility stands out as the only permitted tungsten mill in the Clifton (Gold Hill) Mining District. With a capacity of 400 tons per day, expandable to 850 tons, and a simple gravity separation circuit optimised for tungsten mineralogy, the mill is a critical asset in AT4’s strategy. Its location on private land means state-level permitting suffices, avoiding the lengthy federal environmental reviews that can stall projects.

This facility not only supports AT4’s own projects but also offers toll milling services to third parties, potentially becoming a central hub in a broader regional tungsten supply chain. The refurbishment aims to restore the mill’s operational status, last processing Fraction Lode ore in 2017, and to underpin future production ambitions.

Expanding the US Tungsten Footprint

Beyond Dutch Mountain, AT4 is advancing its Tennessee Mountain and Nightingale tungsten projects in Nevada. Both sites have historical tungsten production and exploration potential, with the Tennessee Mountain project currently navigating permitting processes with the US Forest Service. These projects form part of AT4’s envisioned hub-and-spoke development model, where district-scale processing centres feed into a central refining facility producing downstream tungsten products such as ammonium paratungstate, tungsten oxide, and tungsten powder.

This integrated approach aims to establish a secure, domestic US tungsten supply chain, reducing reliance on imports and addressing strategic supply risks amid tightening global markets.

Market Tailwinds and Next Steps

The tungsten market has seen a dramatic price surge, with prices climbing from around US$300 per metric tonne unit (MTU) a year ago to over US$1,150 per MTU recently. This price environment underscores the strategic importance of developing reliable Western sources of tungsten, a critical mineral for various industrial applications.

In the near term, AT4 expects to receive drilling permits for the Fraction Lode exploration program and commence drilling shortly thereafter. Concurrently, refurbishment of the Dutch Mountain mill will continue, alongside exploration across the district and progress on the Nevada projects. These coordinated activities highlight AT4’s commitment to unlocking the potential of its US tungsten assets and advancing its vertically integrated supply chain vision.