Dateline Secures 100% of Largest U.S. Strontium Deposit with High-Purity Grades

Strategic Acquisition Strengthens U.S. Critical Minerals Supply

Dateline Resources Limited has announced the completion of its acquisition of 100% ownership of the Argos Strontium Project in California, marking a significant milestone in its portfolio expansion. The Argos deposit is the largest known strontium resource in the United States, a country that currently imports all of its strontium needs due to the absence of active domestic production since 1959.

This acquisition not only secures a major U.S. strontium asset but also aligns closely with the U.S. government's strategic agenda to bolster domestic supply chains for critical minerals essential to national security and advanced manufacturing.

World-Class Deposit with Unique Metallurgical Advantages

The Argos deposit is distinguished by its exceptionally high-purity celestite (strontium sulfate) with minimal barium impurities, a factor that typically hampers the economic viability of many global strontium deposits. Historical data and recent assays confirm grades exceeding 90% SrSO₄, positioning Argos alongside the world’s top strontium producers.

Its near-surface, stratiform geology lends itself to low-cost open-pit mining, with existing infrastructure nearby. This accessibility, combined with the deposit’s purity, suggests Argos could offer competitive production economics, a critical factor given the growing demand for strontium in electric vehicles, defense ordnance, and space systems.

Defense Sector Backing Highlights Strategic Importance

The U.S. Department of Defense’s recent commitment of $192.5 million under the Defense Production Act to stimulate domestic manufacturing of defense-critical chemicals underscores the strategic value of strontium. Specialized strontium compounds are vital for munitions and energetic materials, with companies like Estes Energetics receiving funding to produce strontium-based oxidizers domestically.

Dateline’s Managing Director, Stephen Baghdadi, emphasized that Argos’ unique position as the only sizeable American strontium deposit places the company in an enviable position to meet these critical industrial and security needs.

Complementing the Colosseum Gold and Rare Earth Project

Located approximately 100 kilometers from Dateline’s flagship Colosseum Gold and Rare Earth Elements project, Argos fits seamlessly into the company’s strategic minerals portfolio. The Colosseum project boasts a substantial gold resource with emerging rare earth potential, and the proximity of the two projects offers operational synergies.

Dateline plans to advance Argos in parallel with Colosseum, ensuring disciplined development that adds value without detracting from its core gold-REE operations.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Following the acquisition, Dateline is integrating historical data and preparing for further exploration, including confirmatory drilling to establish a JORC-compliant mineral resource and metallurgical testing. The vendor retains a modest net smelter royalty, aligning interests for long-term success.

With growing global demand for critical minerals and increasing government support for domestic supply chains, Dateline’s expanded portfolio positions it well to capitalize on these trends. However, the timing and scale of Argos’ development remain to be defined as exploration progresses.