Idaho Strategic Geologists Make Carbonatite Discovery at Lemhi Pass in Idaho - Up to 6.14% TREO
Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR) has announced a significant carbonatite discovery at its Lucky Horseshoe prospect within the Lemhi Pass project, with samples showing up to 6.14% total rare earth oxides (TREO). The discovery features impressive ratios of 65% magnet rare earth oxides and 11% SEG oxides.
This marks the first-ever identification of carbonatite at Lemhi Pass, challenging previous geological assumptions. The discovery is particularly significant as carbonatites are the primary source of REEs at the world's three major REE operations: Mountain Pass (US), Mount Weld (Australia), and Bayan Obo (China).
The company is currently conducting soil geochemistry and radiometric surveys over its Lemhi Pass holdings and has submitted permits for initial drill testing this fall. IDR controls properties across the 70-mile Idaho REE-Th Belt, including Mineral Hill, Diamond Creek, and Lemhi Pass.
Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR) ha annunciato una scoperta significativa di carbonatite al suo prospect Lucky Horseshoe, nell’ambito del progetto Lemhi Pass: campioni mostrano fino al 6,14% di ossidi totali di terre rare (TREO). La scoperta presenta rapporti notevoli di 65% di ossidi magnetici di terre rare e 11% di ossidi SEG.
È la prima volta che viene identificata una carbonatite a Lemhi Pass, mettendo in discussione le precedenti ipotesi geologiche. La scoperta è rilevante poiché le carbonatiti costituiscono la principale fonte di terre rare nelle tre grandi operazioni mondiali: Mountain Pass (USA), Mount Weld (Australia) e Bayan Obo (Cina).
L’azienda sta svolgendo indagini di geochimica del suolo e rilevamenti radiometrici sulle proprietà a Lemhi Pass e ha presentato le autorizzazioni per i primi test di perforazione previsti per questo autunno. IDR controlla terreni lungo la cintura REE-Th dell’Idaho lunga 70 miglia, comprese le aree Mineral Hill, Diamond Creek e Lemhi Pass.
Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR) ha anunciado un importante hallazgo de carbonatita en su objetivo Lucky Horseshoe dentro del proyecto Lemhi Pass, con muestras que muestran hasta 6,14% de óxidos totales de tierras raras (TREO). El descubrimiento presenta proporciones destacadas de 65% de óxidos magnéticos de tierras raras y 11% de óxidos SEG.
Es la primera identificación de carbonatita en Lemhi Pass, lo que cuestiona las suposiciones geológicas previas. El hallazgo es especialmente relevante porque las carbonatitas son la principal fuente de tierras raras en las tres grandes operaciones mundiales: Mountain Pass (EE. UU.), Mount Weld (Australia) y Bayan Obo (China).
La compañía está realizando estudios de geoquímica de suelos y encuestas radiométricas en sus tenencias en Lemhi Pass y ha presentado permisos para las primeras pruebas de perforación este otoño. IDR controla propiedades a lo largo de la franja REE-Th de Idaho de 70 millas, incluidas Mineral Hill, Diamond Creek y Lemhi Pass.
Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR)� Lemhi Pass 프로젝트 � Lucky Horseshoe 탐사 대상지에서 중요� 카보나타이트(탄산�) 발견� 발표했으�, 시료에서� 최대 � 희토� 산화�(TREO) 6.14%� 확인되었습니�. 이번 발견은 자기� 희토� 산화� 65%왶 SEG 산화� 11%� 인상적인 비율� 보입니다.
이는 Lemhi Pass에서 카보나타이트가 처음으로 확인� 사례�, 이전� 지질학� 가정을 뒤엎� 결과입니�. 카보나타이트� 세계 주요 희토� 생산지� Mountain Pass(미국), Mount Weld(호주), Bayan Obo(중국)에서 희토류의 주된 공급원이라는 점에� 이번 발견� 의미가 큽니�.
회사� 현재 Lemhi Pass 보유지� 대� 토양 지구화� � 방사� 측량� 진행 중이�, 이번 가� 초기 시추 테스트를 위한 허가� 제출했습니다. IDR은 Mineral Hill, Diamond Creek, Lemhi Pass� 포함� 70마일� 걸친 아이디어�(아이오다�?) REE-Th 벨트 전역� 자산� 통제하고 있습니다.
Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR) a annoncé la découverte d’une importante carbonatite sur sa cible Lucky Horseshoe, dans le cadre du projet Lemhi Pass, des échantillons révélant jusqu’� 6,14% d’oxydes totaux de terres rares (TREO). La découverte présente des proportions remarquables de 65% d’oxydes magnétiques de terres rares et de 11% d’oxydes SEG.
Il s’agit de la première identification d’une carbonatite à Lemhi Pass, remettant en cause les hypothèses géologiques antérieures. Cette découverte est d’autant plus importante que les carbonatites constituent la principale source de terres rares des trois grandes opérations mondiales : Mountain Pass (États‑Unis), Mount Weld (Australie) et Bayan Obo (Chine).
La société mène actuellement des campagnes de géochimie des sols et des levés radiométriques sur ses terrains de Lemhi Pass et a déposé des demandes d’autorisation pour des forages initiaux prévus cet automne. IDR contrôle des propriétés le long de la ceinture REE‑Th de l’Idaho longue de 70 miles, notamment Mineral Hill, Diamond Creek et Lemhi Pass.
Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR) hat am Lucky Horseshoe-Prospekt des Lemhi Pass-Projekts einen bedeutenden Karbonatit-Fund gemeldet; Proben weisen bis zu 6,14% Gesamtseltenearthoxiden (TREO) auf. Der Fund zeigt beeindruckende Anteile von 65% magnetischen Seltene-Erden-Oxiden und 11% SEG-Oxiden.
Es ist die erste nachgewiesene Karbonatitvorkommen in Lemhi Pass und stellt frühere geologische Annahmen in Frage. Besonders bedeutsam ist der Fund, da Karbonatite die Hauptquelle für Seltene Erden bei den drei großen Weltbetrieben Mountain Pass (USA), Mount Weld (Australien) und Bayan Obo (China) sind.
Das Unternehmen führt derzeit Boden-Geochemie- und Radionspektrometrie-Untersuchungen über seinen Lemhi Pass-Besitzungen durch und hat Genehmigungen für erste Bohrtests diesen Herbst eingereicht. IDR kontrolliert Grundstücke entlang des 70 Meilen langen Idaho REE-Th-Gürtels, darunter Mineral Hill, Diamond Creek und Lemhi Pass.
- Discovery of high-grade carbonatite with up to 6.14% TREO
- Strong 65% magnet rare earth elements ratio and 11% SEG ratio
- First carbonatite discovery at Lemhi Pass, expanding potential resource area
- Strategic location at intersection of two major faults
- Drilling permits submitted for fall exploration program
- Pending regulatory approvals for drilling permits
- Early-stage discovery requiring further exploration and validation
- Complex geological setting requiring additional interpretation
Insights
IDR's carbonatite discovery at Lemhi Pass reveals high-grade rare earth elements, creating significant exploration upside and strategic resource potential.
The discovery of a carbonatite with up to 6.14% total rare earth oxides (TREO) at Idaho Strategic's Lucky Horseshoe prospect represents a potential game-changer for the company's Lemhi Pass project. This finding is particularly significant because carbonatites are the primary source rock for the world's three major rare earth operations - Mountain Pass, Mount Weld, and Bayan Obo.
What makes this discovery especially valuable is the exceptionally high concentration of magnet rare earth elements at 65% of total rare earths. For context, most deposits globally contain only 15-25% magnet rare earths. These specific elements (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) command premium pricing due to their critical applications in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense technologies.
The geological reinterpretation resulting from this discovery is profound. The identification of carbonatite at Lemhi Pass contradicts previous assumptions that carbonatites were confined to the northern portion of the Idaho REE-Th Belt. The location at the intersection of two major faults (Lemhi Pass Fault and Dan Patch Fault) suggests a deep-seated structural control that could indicate more extensive mineralization.
From an exploration perspective, the company's methodical approach using soil geochemistry and radiometric surveys to target additional carbonatite bodies demonstrates technical rigor. The pending drill permit for the Lucky Horseshoe and In-Trust prospects will be the true test of this discovery's economic potential. If successful, IDR could establish a domestic source of critical magnet rare earth elements in a geopolitical environment where such resources are strategically vital.
Samples taken from outcrop assayed up to
This discovery marks the first time that a carbonatite has been identified at Lemhi Pass - alters and expands upon the historic assumptions of prior geologic reports
Carbonatites are the primary lode source of REEs at the three major REE operations globally - Mountain Pass in the U.S., Mount Weld in Australia, and Bayan Obo in China
COEUR D'ALENE, ID / / August 28, 2025 / Idaho Strategic Resources (NYSE American:IDR) ("IDR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of a carbonatite with strong rare earth elements (REE) mineralization at the Lucky Horseshoe prospect within the Company's Lemhi Pass project.
The table below shows three samples recently taken by IDR geologists which mark the discovery of the Lucky Horseshoe carbonatite. Sample 98780 is representative of possible carbonatite ore, while Samples 98779 and 98778 are representative of the wall rock hosting the carbonatite.

Idaho Strategic's VP of Exploration, Rob Morgan commented, "We are very encouraged by these strong results from our newly discovered carbonatite at the Lucky Horseshoe prospect. The high-grade assay results, the consistency of the magnet rare earth element ratio at
Until this recent discovery, historic geologic reports led many to believe that the carbonatites within the Idaho REE-Th Belt were confined to the northern portion of the Belt, where IDR's Mineral Hill REE project is located. Discovering a carbonatite at the Lucky Horseshoe prospect at Lemhi Pass, the southern most recognized project in the Idaho REE-Th Belt, changes this narrative. Carbonatites are known globally for hosting a wide range of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, and are the primary lode source of REE mineralization at Mountain Pass in the U.S., Mount Weld in Australia, and Bayan Obo in China - the three major REE operations globally.
The new carbonatite assay results show a recognized geochemical signature of very strong neodymium (Nd) with depleted lanthanum (La), a characteristic seen consistently in this area of Lemhi Pass. In IDR's recent press release ()and relatively recent work by other geologists ( - Gillerman, 2011), a strong Nd enrichment in monazite is noted, including a sample from the Lucky Horseshoe prospect containing 30-35 weight percent Nd oxide.
The Lucky Horseshoe lies at the intersection of two major faults: the Lemhi Pass Fault and the Dan Patch Fault. The team at IDR believes the intersecting faults represent crustal thinning allowing for deeper mantle rocks to potentially reach the surface, with the carbonatite in this area associated with a large vertical structure, possibly the ancestral Lemhi Pass Fault, which is located approximately 600 feet north of the current Lemhi Pass Fault.
Rob Morgan continued, "This new discovery has led to a reinterpretation of the geological setting of Lemhi Pass, which is now based on REEs in association with carbonatites. Along with the newly recognized parallel 'ancestral Lemhi Pass Fault', our work from this summer is writing (and re-writing) the geological book on Lemhi Pass as we increase our understanding of this long-recognized area and how it relates to the broader Idaho REE-Th Belt."
Currently, IDR is conducting soil geochemistry and radiometric surveys over its expansive landholdings at Lemhi Pass. The goal of this work is to look for trends in soils and radiometrics which suggest large linear dikes. Together these surveys will help narrow the focus and maximize its efforts for drilling the best possible targets for additional discoveries. Idaho Strategic has recently submitted a permit for a first phase drill test of the Lucky Horseshoe and In-Trust prospects this fall with the BLM, and plan follow-up next year from USFS & BLM lands.
Lemhi Pass is at the southern end of the Idaho REE-Th Belt, a northwest trending zone that possesses most of the REE lode occurrences in Idaho. Along this 70-mile belt, IDR controls the Mineral Hill Property in northwest, the Diamond Creek Property in the middle; and Lemhi Pass Property claim block in the southeast.

Qualified Person and QA/QC
IDR's Vice President of Exploration, Robert John Morgan, PG, PLS is a qualified person as such term is defined under S-K 1300 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this press release. Rare earth samples were analyzed by ACT Labs using the 8-REE Assay Package (FUS-MS) and the 8-Nb2O5 - XRF Option. The Company's QA/QC program includes certified reference materials to ensure analytical accuracy, with results reviewed by a Qualified Person.
About Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.
Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR) is an Idaho-based gold producer which also owns the largest rare earth elements land package in the United States. The Company's business plan was established in anticipation of today's volatile geopolitical and macroeconomic environment. IDR finds itself in a unique position as the only publicly traded company with growing gold production and significant blue-sky potential for rare earth elements exploration and development in one Company.
For more information on Idaho Strategic Resources, visit , go to or call:
Travis Swallow, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (208) 625-9001
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by forward-looking words such as "intends", "potential", "believe", "plans", "expects", "may", "goal', "assume", "estimate", "anticipate", and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of Idaho Strategic Resources as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of IDR to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes the potential for additional carbonatites or other rare earth occurrences to be discovered at Lemhi Pass, the potential for the planned drill program(s) to be permitted in a timely manner, the potential for favorable or unfavorable results from further exploration of the carbonatite discovery, the potential for Lemhi Pass to be an economic source of rare earth elements in the future, and the potential for the magnet rare earth elements ratio and the SEG ratio at Lemhi Pass to continue to exhibit the same characteristics outlined in this release. Investors should note that IDR's claim as the largest rare earth elements landholder in the U.S. is based on the Company's internal review of publicly available information regarding the rare earth landholdings of select companies within the U.S., which IDR is aware of. Investors are encouraged not to rely on IDR's claim as the largest rare earth elements landholder in the U.S. while making investment decisions. The forward-looking statement information above, and those following are applicable to both this press release, as well as the links contained within this press release. With respect to the business of Idaho Strategic Resources, these risks and uncertainties include risks relating to widespread pandemics; interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information; the accuracy of historic estimates; unfavorable exploration results; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices; the ability to obtain necessary future financing on acceptable terms; the ability to operate the Company's projects; and risks associated with the mining industry such as economic factors, ground conditions, failure of plant, equipment, processes and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital and construction expenditures, and reclamation activities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from this forward‐looking information is available in Idaho Strategic Resources filings with the SEC on EDGAR. IDR does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.
SOURCE: Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.
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