United States Antimony Corporation is advancing its mining operations through artificial intelligence and fulfilling government defense contracts, marking a significant month for the company. On July 15, the company announced it contracted a specialist AI firm to work on its Los Juarez Silver Mine in Queretaro, Mexico. The initiative focuses on reprocessing historical geological data on compressed timelines, reducing processes that previously took months or years into weeks.

The company is currently in negotiations with other active silver mining companies in Mexico regarding the potential acquisition of Los Juarez. Discussions include potential stock ownership, royalty ownership, or property participation. The AI implementation aims to "high grade" the asset's future potential amid near record-high silver prices.

"AI technology is now another one of those tools we will be actively utilizing in the future," said Gary C. Evans, Chairman and CEO of United States Antimony Corporation. "The proper use of AI is a game changer. It can take this magnitude of data and quickly assemble the information in a manner that gives our highly experienced geologists and engineers a much faster and higher probabilistic review of the potential of each project."

Separately, on July 1, the company announced it delivered its first shipments during the second quarter under its $245 million supply contract with the Defense Logistics Agency. United States Antimony delivered approximately 82,000 pounds of antimony metal ingots across two initial shipments, generating roughly $2.6 million in invoices in June.

Contract and Operational Updates

Total antimony ingot orders from the Defense Logistics Agency have reached $57.3 million since the contract's inception. Two additional shipments are currently awaiting government inspection and authorization. The company reported that antimony flake feedstock deliveries from its Bolivian Hydromet facility partner were delayed during the quarter due to diesel shortages linked to the military conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, though the fuel issue has since been resolved.

"We have fired up and commissioned our expanded smeltering furnaces in our newly constructed facility located in Thompson Falls, Montana and made first deliveries under our $245 Million DLA contract," said Evans. "We anticipate that order flow throughout the remainder of fiscal year 2026 will continue to ramp up along with our production capabilities to meet our country's critical mineral needs."

Key Financial and Operational Metrics

United States Antimony Corp shares declined 11.99% to $5.20 on Thursday as precious metals prices retreated amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The drop in United States Antimony stock mirrored broader losses in the metals sector, driven by rising oil prices and climbing Treasury yields that strengthened the dollar and fueled inflation anxiety.

Precious Metals Prices Retreat

Spot gold shed nearly 2% to $3,984.64 per ounce, touching levels not seen since July 1. Silver gave back 3.6% to settle at $55.68 per ounce. The declines extended across the metals complex, with platinum falling 3.1% and palladium surrendering 4.1%.

The price movements were attributed to a confluence of factors stemming from the conflict between American and Iranian forces. Higher energy costs feed directly into inflation expectations, which lift Treasury yields and firm up the dollar. This dynamic makes gold costlier for international buyers and less attractive compared to yield-generating assets.

Geopolitical Escalation Impacts Markets

The market pressure followed a second round of U.S. military strikes against Iranian positions within a 12-hour period. U.S. Central Command targeted coastal defense installations and cruise missile infrastructure on Greater Tunb Island. These operations came after President Donald Trump stated that military action would escalate if Iran declined to engage in negotiations.

Iran signaled to Yemen’s Houthi forces to prepare to choke off Red Sea shipping traffic if American strikes reach Iranian power generation facilities. This threat pushed oil toward a one-month high, further contributing to the inflationary pressures weighing on precious metals.

Metal Performance Overview