Ares Strategic Mining Commences Mining Operations Ore Stockpiling at Lost Sheep Mine Begins Production Momentum Accelerates
Ares Strategic Mining Commences Mining Operations
Ore Stockpiling at Lost Sheep Mine Begins Production Momentum Accelerates
Vancouver,
B.C.,
18
th
February
2026
–
Ares
Strategic
Mining
Inc.
(CSE:
ARS)
(OTC:
ARSMF)
(FRA:
N8I1)
is
pleased
to
announce
that
mining
operations
at
its
Lost
Sheep
Fluorspar
Mine
in
Utah
are
now
actively
underway,
with
several
thousands
of
tons
of
fluorspar
ore
successfully
mined
and
stockpiled
at
surface
in
preparation
for
processing.
This milestone marks a decisive transition from development to production build-up and
represents
tangible
progress
toward
sustained
acidspar
output.
Ore Stockpiles being deposited at surface, ready for transportation to the plant
Mining in Full Motion
Underground operations are advancing steadily, with ore being extracted, transported to
surface,
and
organized
into
structured
stockpiles
to
support
upcoming
processing
runs.
The
Company’s
teams
have
been
executing
mining
plans
efficiently
while
maintaining
strong
operational
discipline
and
safety
standards.
A
Recently
Installed
Lumps
Plant
System
The current stockpiling phase allows Ares to:
●
Build
strategic
ore
inventory
ahead
of
flotation
plant
commissioning
●
Optimize
blending
and
grade
control
for
consistent
processing
performance
●
Ensure
uninterrupted
feedstock
supply
once
processing
begins
●
Demonstrate
visible
and
measurable
production
momentum
Operational Momentum Continues to Build
The stockpiling initiative is part of Ares’ broader strategy to ensure smooth ramp-up into full
acidspar
production.
With
underground
development
advancing
and
surface
infrastructure
in
place,
the
Company
is
methodically
positioning
itself
for
consistent
throughput
once
the
flotation
plant
becomes
operational.
James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, commented: Seeing hundreds of
tons
of
ore
at
surface
is
a
powerful
validation
of
the
hard
work
our
team
has
put
into
bringing
the
Lost
Sheep
back
into
production.
This
is
real
progress
–
tangible,
measurable,
and
visible.
We
are
building
momentum
step
by
step,
and
our
shareholders
can
see
the
results
on
the
ground.
Strengthening America’s Critical Mineral Supply
Fluorspar is a designated U.S. critical mineral essential for:
●
Steel
and
aluminum
manufacturing
●
Fluorochemicals
and
refrigerants
●
Semiconductor
and
electronics
production
●
Clean
energy
technologies
●
Defense
and
national
security
applications
As the only permitted and operating fluorspar mine in the United States, Ares continues to
reinforce
its
position
as
a
cornerstone
of
domestic
supply.
The
commencement
of
stockpiling
demonstrates
not
just
operational
readiness,
but
the
Company’s
commitment
to
disciplined
execution
and
long-term
value
creation.
Looking Ahead
Over the coming weeks, Ares expects to:
●
Continue
expanding
surface
stockpiles
●
Advance
flotation
plant
readiness
●
Prepare
for
initial
processing
runs
●
Move
closer
to
steady-state
production
The Company remains focused on delivering sustainable growth, operational excellence, and
shareholder
value
as
it
advances
toward
full
production
capacity.
Ares has settled $185,199.23 CAD for services rendered to the company by consultants and
service
providers,
by
issuing
381,854
common
shares.
These
shares
are
subject
to
a
statutory
hold
period
of
four
months
and
one
day
from
the
date
of
issuance.
About Ares Strategic Mining
Ares Strategic Mining Inc. is a mining company focused on the development of its fluorspar
projects
in
the
U.S.
The
Company
aims
to
become
a
significant
supplier
of
high-grade
fluorspar
to
North
American
markets,
supporting
industries
vital
to
modern
technology
and
infrastructure.
Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project – Delta, Utah
•
100% owned – 5,982 acres – 353 Claims
•
Located in the Spor Mountain area, Juab County, Utah, approximately 214 km
south-west
of
Salt
Lake
City.
•
Fully Permitted – including mining permits.
•
NI 43-101 Technical Report identified extensive high-grade fluorspar with low
levels
of
impurities.
•
Mining plan approved by BLM[1]
First
approved
by
Rex
Rowley
–
Area
Manager,
Bureau
of
Land
Management
–
24th
August
1992.
Renewed by Paul B. Baker – Minerals Program Manager, Bureau of Land Management – 12th December 2016.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
ARES STRATEGIC MINING LTD.
James
Walker
Chief
Executive
Officer
and
President
For
further
information,
please
contact
James
Walker
by
at
DISCLOSURE
AND
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS:
Companies typically rely on comprehensive feasibility reports on mineral reserve estimates to reduce the
risks
and
uncertainties
associated
with
a
production
decision.
Historically,
situations
where
the
issuer
decides
to
put
a
mineral
project
into
production
without
first
establishing
mineral
reserves
supported
by
a
technical
report
and
completing
a
feasibility
study
have
a
higher
risk
of
economic
or
technical
failure,
though
some
industrial
mineral
ventures
are
relatively
simple
operations
with
low
levels
of
investment
and
risk,
where
the
operating
entity
has
determined
that
a
formal
prefeasibility
or
feasibility
study
in
conformance
with
NI
43-101
and
43-101
CP
is
not
required
for
a
production
decision.
Based
on
historical
engineering work, geological reports, historical production data and current engineering work completed
or
in
the
process
by
Ares,
the
Company
intends
to
move
forward
with
the
development
of
its
Utah
asset.
Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial
known
and
unknown
risks
and
uncertainties.
Forward-looking
statements
are
often
identified
by
terms
such
as
“will”,
“may”,
“should”,
“anticipate”,
“expects”
and
similar
expressions.
All
statements
other
than
statements
of
historical
fact
included
in
this
news
release
are
forward-looking
statements
that
involve
risks
and
uncertainties.
There
can
be
no
assurance
that
such
statements
will
prove
to
be
accurate
and
actual
results
and
future
events
could
differ
materially
from
those
anticipated
in
such
statements.
Important
factors
that
could
cause
actual
results
to
differ
materially
from
the
Company’s
expectations
include
the
failure
to
satisfy
the
conditions
of
the
relevant
securities
exchange(s)
and
other
risks
detailed
from
time
to
time
in
the
filings
made
by
the
Company
with
securities
regulations.
The
reader
is
cautioned
that
assumptions
used
in
the
preparation
of
any
forward-looking
information
may
prove
to
be
incorrect.
Events
or
circumstances
may
cause
actual
results
to
differ
materially
from
those
predicted,
as
a
result
of
numerous
known
and
unknown
risks,
uncertainties,
and
other
factors,
many
of
which
are
beyond
the
control
of
the
Company.
The
reader
is
cautioned
not
to
place
undue
reliance
on
any
forward-looking
information.
Such
information,
although
considered
reasonable
by
management
at
the
time
of
preparation,
may
prove
to
be
incorrect
and
actual
results
may
differ
materially
from
those
anticipated.
Forward-looking
statements
contained
in
this
news
release
are
expressly
qualified
by
this
cautionary
statement.
The
forward-looking
statements
contained
in
this
news
release
are
made
as
of
the
date
of
this
news
release
and
the
Company
disclaims
any
intention
or
obligation
to
update
or
revise
such
information,
except
as
required
by
applicable
law.