Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF) (FRA: N811) has reached a critical operational milestone: the production of saleable-grade metallurgical-grade fluorspar, or metspar, lumps at its Delta Lumps Plant in Utah. The company announced that the product meets the customer specifications targeted for its initial deliveries, with first commercial shipments and sales expected to commence in November, subject to final customer acceptance and shipping arrangements. The achievement marks the company's transition from development to commercial production, a key step for a junior miner aiming to supply high-grade fluorspar to North American markets.
The news, first reported via NEWMEDIAWIRE, comes as Ares also begins transferring site operations from Provo Mining and Construction, Inc. to direct Ares operational management. The handover is expected to complete in mid-December 2026. To lead the transition, Ares Director and Chairman of the Mujim Group, Mr. Bob Li, is now on site in Delta. Mr. Li brings extensive experience in fluorspar mining, processing, plant design and metallurgy through his work with the Mujim Group, which supplied Ares' processing plants, including the Lumps Plant. His focus will be on consistent product quality, efficient plant operation, operator development and close coordination between mine supply and processing. A photo of Mr. Li and Geotechnical Engineer Mr. Lumin Ma is available Click here to see (L-R) - Mr. Lumin Ma - Geotechnical Engineer & Mr. Bob Li - Director.
Throughout September and October, the Delta team increased plant feed from the Lost Sheep Mine and carried out product testing and process optimisation. That work delivered the saleable-grade result, though the ramp-up to commercial production has taken longer than originally planned. The company's focus is now on consistently repeating product quality, increasing saleable output and coordinating production with customer delivery requirements. First commercial shipments and sales are expected to commence in November, subject to final customer acceptance and shipping arrangements. The company will confirm the first shipment once it has been completed.
The transition from contractor-led development to direct Ares management is designed to preserve the experience and site knowledge of the people who built the operation while bringing production planning, maintenance, staffing and operating priorities under coordinated Ares leadership. Mr. Roy Durr and his Provo team played a substantial role in developing the Lost Sheep Mine and the Delta processing facility. As announced on October 20, 2026, the company agreed to settle US$1,000,000 of outstanding debt relating to mine and processing facility development through the issuance of 5,550,588 common shares at a deemed price of C$0.255 per share. The debt, originally owed to Provo, was assigned to Roy Durr, who requested settlement in shares as an investment in Ares. The settlement reduced the company's liabilities while preserving cash for operations, and aligns Mr. Durr's investment with the company's future progress.
"As Ares grows its manufacturing activities and transitions its operations, experienced operational leadership is central to converting installed infrastructure into dependable commercial output, and Bob's knowledge of the plant and the product makes him the right person to lead operations," said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ares. The Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project is 100% owned, covering 5,982 acres and 353 claims in the Spor Mountain area of Juab County, Utah, approximately 214 km south-west of Salt Lake City. It is fully permitted, including mining permits, with a NI 43-101 Technical Report identifying extensive high-grade fluorspar with low levels of impurities and a mining plan approved by the BLM. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
