Massive Clay-Hosted Critical-Mineral Deposit Found at Utah’s Silicon Ridge — Potential U.S. Game-Changer

Ionic Minerals Technology (Ionic MT) says it has discovered a large clay-hosted deposit of critical minerals and rare earth elements at Silicon Ridge, west of Utah Lake. The company reports the site contains 16 critical minerals — including gallium, germanium and large amounts of halloysite — in clay rather than hard rock, which the company says could simplify extraction and reduce environmental impacts.

What Was Found

According to CEO Andre Zeitoun, the clay at Silicon Ridge contains 16 critical elements used across advanced technologies: semiconductors, fiber-optic systems, satellites, high-performance magnets and electric-vehicle (EV) batteries. Halloysite, an aluminum-silicon clay mineral present in the deposit, is being developed for battery applications that could enable faster charging and longer life.

How It Was Tested

Ionic MT initially sampled the site after expanding exploration beyond its Juab County operations. The company said its equipment consistently returned the same distribution of metals from every sample. After initial surprise, Ionic MT said third-party laboratory testing confirmed abundant concentrations of critical and rare-earth elements.

Extraction, Processing and Claims

Zeitoun and Ionic MT characterize their planned extraction methods as low-impact: they say they will avoid explosives and harsh chemicals and aim for virtually zero waste. The company processes raw halloysite at its patented, 74,000-square-foot plant in Provo. State permits are in place; the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining confirmed a permit exists but said specific terms remain confidential.

Geology and Comparisons

Geologists describe Silicon Ridge as a clay deposit formed about 30 million years ago from volcanic ash and hot-spring activity that produced tube-structured clays capable of absorbing and retaining rare-earth elements and other critical metals such as lithium. Ionic MT says the deposit resembles volcanic clay deposits that have produced rich rare-earth resources in China; similar analogues exist in Brazil and Australia, but Silicon Ridge is reportedly the only known U.S. example of this formation.

Economic, Strategic and Local Impacts

Ionic MT initially leased 4,053 acres from the State Trust Lands Administration in 2023 and requested an additional 3,700 acres after more than 100 boreholes and trenches. Trust Lands documents say the state would receive $13 per acre per year and either $1.60 per ton of mined clay or 10% of the gross value of the clay — whichever is greater — with revenues directed to Utah schools.

The company and state officials say the project could create hundreds of local jobs. Utah leaders have lauded the discovery as an economic and clean-energy opportunity; the federal government has also expressed interest, according to Ionic MT, though details were not disclosed.

Context and Caveats

China currently supplies the majority of the world’s rare earths and handles most processing (estimates cited in coverage put China’s production share around 60% and processing share near 90%), which has prompted U.S. interest in boosting domestic sources. While Ionic MT and state officials emphasize the site’s potential and the company’s low-impact approach, independent confirmation of long-term economics, permitting outcomes, and full environmental review will be necessary before large-scale production begins.

Quote: "Over the last 20 years, we've allowed ourselves to be solely reliant on imports of these metals that power our lives," Andre Zeitoun said, highlighting the strategic value of domestic supplies.

Silicon Ridge’s proximity to roads, power lines and an available workforce adds to its development appeal, but the timeline for commercial production will depend on additional testing, permitting, financing and regulatory review.