American West Metals Hired Consultancy to Develop Utah Mine
The firm engaged GreenMet to navigate supply chain strategy for critical indium deposits in Utah.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing
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American West Metals has appointed Washington, D.C.-based consultancy GreenMet to advance its West Desert project in Utah. The initiative aims to address U.S. reliance on imported indium following Chinese export restrictions implemented in 2025.
Why it matters
The U.S. is 100 percent dependent on foreign indium imports, a material essential to defense, energy, and technology sectors. Securing domestic supply lines has become a federal priority to mitigate vulnerabilities in the industrial supply chain.
The West Desert project contains 33.7 million tonnes of inferred resources, including 23.8 million ounces of indium. Only 35 percent of historical drill samples have been assayed for the mineral, though recent testing confirmed a 108-metre intersection.
The players
American West Metals
A mining company focused on critical mineral resource development in North America.
GreenMet
A consultancy specializing in U.S. critical minerals supply chain strategy and government partnerships.
The details
GreenMet will leverage its experience in supply chain strategy to help American West Metals secure federal funding and identify strategic partners. The West Desert project is situated on private land, which may simplify the regulatory pathway compared to federal holdings. These efforts aim to capitalize on the project's mineral profile to shift the U.S. away from total import dependency.
Timeline
2025: China imposed export restrictions on indium.
May 2026: The White House flagged indium as a key supply chain material.
September 22, 2026: American West Metals announced the engagement of GreenMet.
Q3 2026: Expected completion of the Storm copper project prefeasibility study.
Market Landscape
This project aligns with federal efforts to secure domestic supply lines after the White House designated indium as a key material in May 2026. It mirrors broader industry trends where junior miners partner with specialized consultants to bridge the gap between resource discovery and government-backed strategic development.
Operators in the defense and technology sectors should monitor domestic production updates as potential alternatives to volatile overseas supply lines. Companies reliant on indium should factor the 100 percent import dependency into their risk mitigation and procurement cost projections.
The takeaway
Domestic critical mineral development is receiving increased strategic backing to counter foreign export controls. Operators should monitor the progress of resource assays, as incomplete testing—like the 65 percent of historical samples not yet checked for indium—often hides significant valuation upside.
What happens next
American West Metals expects to complete a prefeasibility study for its Storm copper project in Nunavut, Canada, in Q3 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the Manufacturing sector in Utah.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The West Australian.
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