American West Metals Hired GreenMet for Utah Project
The firm will help develop the West Desert critical minerals site to boost U.S. domestic supply chain security.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing
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American West Metals has engaged Washington D.C.-based consultancy GreenMet to advance its West Desert critical minerals project in Utah. The collaboration aims to secure government funding and strategic partnerships for the site, which contains significant indium deposits.
Why it matters
The United States is currently 100 percent reliant on foreign imports for indium, a material vital to defense, energy, and technology sectors. Securing domestic supply lines has become a priority following global export restrictions implemented by China in 2025.
The West Desert deposit holds 23.8 million ounces of indium and maintains a 3.83 percent zinc concentration. Recent exploration confirmed a drill intersection spanning 108 metres at 25.1 grams per tonne of indium.
The players
American West Metals
This mining company focuses on the development of critical mineral projects across North America.
GreenMet
This Washington D.C.-based consultancy provides strategic advisory services for the United States critical minerals supply chain.
The details
GreenMet will leverage its specialized expertise in the U.S. critical minerals supply chain to bridge the gap between American West Metals and potential government or strategic partners. The West Desert project is situated on private land located 160 kilometres from Salt Lake City.
Timeline
China imposed export restrictions on indium in 2025.
The White House flagged indium as a key supply chain material in May 2026.
American West Metals announced the engagement on September 22, 2026.
The company expects to complete a prefeasibility study for its Storm copper project in Q3 2026.
Market Landscape
This project positions American West Metals to capture market share within the growing domestic critical minerals sector. It follows the federal push established by the White House's designation of indium as a key supply chain material.
Residents may see an increase in regional mining activity and job creation as the firm scales its Utah operations. This project ultimately aims to lower national dependence on foreign supply chains, potentially stabilizing costs for domestic high-tech and defense manufacturing.
The takeaway
The development of domestic indium reserves is a strategic response to global export volatility that threatens U.S. national security. Strengthening domestic production is essential for maintaining supply chain resilience for essential defense and energy technologies.
What happens next
American West Metals is scheduled to complete a prefeasibility study for the Storm copper project in Q3 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about industrial growth in the state by visiting the Utah Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The West Australian.
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