American Tungsten moves to restart historic IMA mine, aiming to supply 8% of U.S. demand
Last updated: 11:11 16 Jul 2025 EDT, First published: 10:11 16 Jul 2025 EDT
American Tungsten Corp CEO Ali Haji joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the company’s ambitious plans to restart production at the historic IMA Mine in Idaho—once the fourth-largest tungsten producer in North America. The mine, which sits on private, patented land and lies above the water table, offers key logistical and permitting advantages that could accelerate its return to production.
Haji explained that American Tungsten optioned the mine in 2024 under a payment plan totaling $5.8 million over eight years. The company is targeting a 12- to 18-month timeline to bring the mine back into operation, with the goal of supplying up to 8% of the United States’ domestic tungsten demand.
“Our target CapEx is around $20 million,” Haji said, noting the relatively low cost to restart IMA compared to much larger-scale greenfield projects.
Immediate plans for the site include validation drilling this summer, restoring access to the property, and updating the existing resource estimate. Further exploration will focus on underexplored zones with visible surface mineralization, which could enhance the overall resource base.
Haji emphasized tungsten’s critical role in defense and nuclear applications, citing its status as the hardest metal with the highest melting point. With geopolitical tensions rising and NATO nations increasing defense spending, the U.S. is actively seeking to secure domestic sources of critical minerals—making the revival of the IMA Mine a strategically significant move.
American Tungsten sees the IMA project as a key opportunity to reestablish North American tungsten production and strengthen domestic supply chains for vital industries.
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