Mariana Minerals announced it has been selected by the State of Utah to enter negotiations to lead a responsible restart of critical minerals production at the former US Magnesium site. Located in Rowley along the Great Salt Lake, the site was previously home to the country’s only magnesium production and is capable of producing other minerals like lithium.
The company is pursuing a multi-year, multi-phase restart of production designed to accelerate funding for the site’s environmental remediation. According to the company, revenue from these operations will go directly to the State to support cleanup efforts. Mariana Minerals stated that water management and the protection of the Great Salt Lake are central to their plan, with a goal of net-neutral water use over the life of the asset.
The company aims to invest significant capital at the site and target more than 200 full-time jobs over time. This development includes working with local contractors and vendors, as well as partnering with local universities and trade schools to support workforce development. The company's proposal aims to leave the lake untouched for years while focusing on mineral resources readily available onsite for processing.
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying minerals critical to modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. The company previously acquired the former Lisbon Valley Mine in San Juan County late last year. That site, now known as Copper One, is being transformed into a modernized, autonomous operating asset with a planned workforce of more than 300 employees, growing from 60 employees at the end of 2025.
The next step for the company involves negotiating the terms of the site’s redevelopment with the State. Mariana Minerals stated it intends to engage openly with stakeholders to build community support for the Rowley operations.
