A Provo-based mining company has identified a substantial deposit of rare earth and critical minerals at its Silicon Ridge site, located about 20 miles south of Utah’s Silicon Slopes. Ionic Minerals Technology reports that the clay-hosted deposit contains 16 key elements—including gallium, germanium, rubidium, cesium, scandium, lithium and vanadium—that are essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, semiconductors, magnets, green energy technologies and defense systems.
Unlike traditional hard-rock deposits, the minerals at Silicon Ridge are suspended in clay, which simplifies extraction and reduces environmental impact. According to the company’s founder and CEO, the extraction process will generate virtually zero waste and will not rely on explosives or harsh chemicals. Ionic MT has secured a lease for more than 4,000 acres from the State Trust Lands Administration, and state regulators have confirmed an active permit from the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.
Third-party test results highlight the deposit’s similarity to volcanic clay formations found in China, which currently dominate global rare earth production and processing. Discovering a domestic analogue could help the United States lessen its reliance on foreign suppliers and support federal and state goals to advance artificial intelligence, electric mobility, renewable energy projects and national defense.
The company’s initial operations involved mining halloysite—a clay mineral used to improve battery charging speed and longevity—from Juab County. Having already built a 74,000-square-foot processing facility in Provo, Ionic MT is positioned to scale up quickly. Executives estimate the project could create hundreds of local jobs and generate lease revenues that benefit Utah schools.
Geologists note that Utah’s unique volcanic history and clay formations have the potential to host additional rare earth occurrences across the state. The Silicon Ridge site benefits from nearby infrastructure, including roads and power lines, and operates under stricter U.S. environmental standards. State leaders, including the governor and legislative leadership, have praised the discovery as a step toward securing domestic supplies of critical minerals and supporting a cleaner energy transition.
