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NATURE OF OPERATIONS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
NATURE OF OPERATIONS  
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

NOTE 1 - NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

AGAU Mines, Inc., predecessor of United States Antimony Corporation (“USAC” or “the Company”), was incorporated in June 1968 as a Delaware corporation to mine gold and silver. USAC was incorporated in Montana in January 1970 to mine and produce antimony products. In June 1973, AGAU Mines, Inc. was merged into USAC. In December 1983, the Company suspended its antimony mining operations when it became possible to purchase antimony raw materials more economically from foreign sources. The principal business of the Company has been the production and sale of antimony products.

 

During 2000, the Company formed a 75% owned subsidiary, Bear River Zeolite Company (“BRZ”), to mine and market zeolite and zeolite products from a mineral deposit in southeastern Idaho. In 2001, an operating plant was constructed at the zeolite site and zeolite production and sales commenced. During 2002, the Company acquired the remaining 25% of BRZ and continued to produce and sell zeolite products.

 

During 2005, the Company formed a 100% owned subsidiary, Antimonio de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“AM”), to explore and develop potential antimony properties in Mexico.

 

During 2006, the Company acquired 100% ownership in United States Antimony, Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“USAMSA”), which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

In 2018, the Company acquired 100% ownership in Stibnite Holding Company US Inc. (previously Lanxess Holding Company US Inc.), Antimony Mining and Milling US LLC (previously Lanxess Laurel US LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and Lanxess Laurel de Mexico, S.A. de C.V (“Lanxess Laurel Mexico”), a Mexico corporation, both of which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

In its operations in Montana, the Company produces antimony oxide, antimony metal, and precious metals. Antimony oxide is a fine, white powder that is used primarily in conjunction with a halogen to form a synergistic flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper. Antimony oxide is also used as a color fastener in paint, as a catalyst for production of polyester resins for fibers and film, as a catalyst for production of polyethylene pthalate in plastic bottles, as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs, and as an opacifier for porcelains. The Company also sells antimony metal for use in bearings, storage batteries and ordnance.

 

In its operations in Idaho, the Company produces zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in a variety of purposes including soil amendment and fertilizer. Zeolite is also used for water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation and other miscellaneous applications.