Rodney (Rod) Blakestad
Leo J. Jackson
"The Critical Minerals and ZEO Company"
DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 19, 2025 / United States Antimony Corporation?("USAC", or the "Company"), (NYSE:UAMY) announced today the appointment of two new Vice Presidents of the Company in different divisions. Mr. Rodney (Rod) Blakestad is now Vice President of the Mining Division, reporting to Joe Bardswich, and Leo Jackson is now Vice President of the Mexican Antimony Division, reporting to John (Gus) Gustavsen.
Mr. Blakestad is an economic geologist with a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alaska (1973) and a Juris Doctor in environmental and natural resources law from the University of Denver (1989). With over 45 years of experience in the hard rock mining space, he has played a key role in mineral exploration and development, including project funding, acquisitions, and management of open-pit gold and copper mines. His expertise spans porphyry systems, gold deposits, volcanic massive sulfides, PGM deposits, and brine systems, contributing to major discoveries such as Fort Knox in Alaska. Recognized as a Qualified Person under Canadian NI 43-101 and a Certified Professional Geologist, he continues to lead and advance mineral projects with a strong technical and regulatory foundation.
Rod Blakestad joins U.S. Antimony with decades of experience in resource development and strategic growth initiatives. Rod and his wife are in the process of moving to Alaska where he will oversee all the Company's mining operations in the state. His expertise in mineral exploration and regulatory compliance will play a key role in advancing the Company's long-term development plans in sourcing critical minerals.
"Rod's extensive background in hard rock mineral development, especially in Alaska, makes him an excellent addition to our leadership team," said Joe Bardswich, Executive Vice President & Chief Mining Engineer at U.S. Antimony. "His leadership will be critical in optimizing our operations and ensuring we remain at the forefront of the domestic antimony market with our own ability to supply existing downstream operating facilities."
Leo Jackson was born and raised in the southwestern United States. He attended Sul Ross State University in West Texas and received a business degree with a minor in Spanish. Capitalizing on his fluency in Spanish and his keen interest in geology, he has lived and worked in Mexico for over 40 years, first working in the production of industrial minerals such as fluorspar and celestite. Approximately 25 years ago, he began his association with United States Antimony Corporation as a member of the Board of Directors. During his association with the Company, Leo has overseen permitting at the smelter at Madero in Coahuila, Mexico, and has overseen labor-related negotiations. He has been involved in the purchase of real estate for both the smelter and the flotation facility in the state of Guanajuato and has consistently been involved in logistics of importing antimony oxide and metal from Mexico to the United States as well as supplies from the United States into Mexico.
Leo Jackson brings extensive experience in mineral processing and operations management with a proven track record in optimizing production and supply chain logistics. He has been a contracted consultant to the company for over 15 years and is fluent in speaking Spanish. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing U.S. Antimony's operational capabilities located in Mexico as the Company scales up to meet ever growing demand for our products.
"Leo's deep industry expertise and hands-on leadership will be a tremendous asset to our team as we continue to solidify our position as North America's leading antimony producer," said John (Gus) Gustavsen, President of the Antimony Division at U.S. Antimony. "His ability to streamline processes and enhance production efficiency aligns with our commitment to strengthening North American supply chains for all industries that require this critical mineral."
The appointments of Messrs. Blakestad and Jackson come as U.S. Antimony continues to strengthen its bench strengths and operational foundation. Their leadership, along with the existing management team, will support the Company's mission to provide a reliable supply of antimony, a critical mineral essential to national defense, energy storage, and industrial applications.
About USAC:
United States Antimony Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Mexico ("USAC", the "Company", "Our", "Us", or "We") sell processed antimony, zeolite, and precious metals products in the U.S. and Canada. The Company processes antimony ore primarily into antimony oxide, antimony metal, and antimony trisulfide. Our antimony oxide is used to form a flame-retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper, as a color fastener in paint, and as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs. Our antimony metal is used in bearings, storage batteries, and ordnance. Our antimony trisulfide is used as a primer in ammunition. In its operations in Idaho, the Company mines and processes zeolite, a group of industrial minerals used in soil amendment and fertilizer, water filtration, sewage treatment, nuclear waste and other environmental cleanup, odor control, gas separation, animal nutrition, and other miscellaneous applications. We recover certain amounts of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, at our plant in Montana from antimony concentrates.?
Forward-Looking Statements:
Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including matters related to the Company's operations, pending contracts and future revenues, financial performance, and profitability, ability to execute on its increased production and installation schedules for planned capital expenditures, and the size of forecasted deposits. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most recent filings, including Form 10-K and Form 10-Q with the?Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "pro forma" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.
Contact:
United States Antimony Corp.
PO Box 540308
Dallas, TX 75354
Jonathan Miller, Vice President - IR
E-Mail: Jmiller@usantimony.com
Phone: 406-606-4117
SOURCE: United States Antimony Corp.
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