Domestic Minerals

With one of the highest-grade copper deposits in the world, the Antler Copper Project will use advanced technology and best practice design to minimize environmental impacts, while producing minerals crucial to national security.

DOMESTIC SOURCE OF HIGH DEMAND MINERALS

MINERALS FOUND AT ANTLER

We’ll provide a domestic source of high-demand critical minerals, including copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold, which enables us to sustain community investment regardless of metal prices. 

This not only helps achieve U.S. energy goals by ensuring a stable supply for renewable components, electric vehicles, and electrical infrastructure but also enhances national security by securing access to the following minerals essential for energy independence and economic competitiveness.

  • Used in semiconductors, EVs and electrical wiring
  • Demand could nearly double over the next 10 years to 50 million metric tons by 2035
  • Antler could produce enough copper to build 43,000 offshore wind turbines
  • DOE, DOD listed critical mineral
  • The U.S. is reliant on imports from Chile, Canada and Mexico, with whom it has free trade agreements. However, China dominates several key phases of the copper supply chain including smelting and refining, fabricating, and the manufacturing of finished goods.
  • Since 2000, China has been responsible for 75% of the world’s smelter capacity growth.
  • China also accounts for around 80% of additions in copper and copper alloy fabrication capacity globally since 2019, with it now having half of the world’s fabrication capacity.
  • Used to galvanize steel and in renewable energy-powered battery storage
  • Global demand anticipated to reach 17.4 million metric tons by 2034
  • USGS, DOE, DOD listed critical mineral
  • In 2023, the United States produced approximately 750,000 metric tons of zinc — or about 5.4% of global production of 13.8 million metric tons. While this positions the U.S. as the fifth-largest zinc producer globally, the U.S. also imported about 750,000 metric tons of refined zinc in 2023. The U.S. is reliant on imports from Peru, Canada and China.
  • Used in solar panels
  • Demand is projected to increase to 28.1 million metric tons by 2030
  • DOD listed critical mineral
  • In 2023, the United States produced approximately 270,000 metric tons of lead, accounting for about 6% of the estimated global lead mine production of 4.5 million metric tons. However, the U.S. also imported about 570,000 metric tons of refined lead that same year.
  • Used in renewable energy-powered battery storage and EVs
  • Demand to increase at a 9.83% annual growth rate by 2030
  • In 2023, the United States produced approximately 1,000 metric tons of silver, or approximately 3.85% of estimated global production. The U.S. imported about 4,700 metric tons of silver that same year.
  • Used in electronics, space exploration, medicine and dentistry, in addition to finance and jewelry
  • In 2023, the United States produced approximately 170 metric tons of gold, accounting for about 5% of the estimated global production of 3,644 metric tons. This positions the U.S. as the fourth-largest gold producer globally, following China, Australia, and Russia. The U.S. imported roughly 200 metric tons of gold that same year.