Volta Metals (CSE: VLTA | OTC: VOLMF | FSE: D0W) CEO Kerem Usenmez recently spoke with Chris Thompson from eResearch to discuss the Springer rare earth and gallium project in Ontario, Canada. The interview covers the deposit, metallurgy, and what’s coming for the company in 2026.
Springer was acquired less than a year ago. It had an old 2012 resource, but every drill hole ended in mineralization. That told the team the deposit was bigger. Since acquiring it, Volta drilled and updated the resource. Springer is now a top-10 rare earth deposit in North America, with 176 million combined indicated and inferred tonnes. It’s still open in all directions.
Rare Earths and the Gallium Case
Springer hosts 15 of the 17 rare earth elements. The company focuses on four: Neodymium and Praseodymium on the light side, and Terbium and Dysprosium on the heavy side. These are the same materials that MP Materials (NYSE: MP) produces in the US.
Beyond rare earths, 98% of global gallium production sits in China. The West produces none. New-generation semiconductors use gallium nitride and gallium arsenide, not silicon. Kerem described Springer as potentially hosting one of the first gallium resources in North America.
Metallurgy and the Road to a PEA
Volta’s Springer project has clean mineralogy with no uranium or radioactivity. Lab-scale testing showed 75% to 78% liberation. SGS is running Phase 1 recovery work, with results expected shortly. Idaho National Laboratory and Laurentian University are also involved, the latter using bioleaching to target gallium.
Drill assays from the most recent program are expected by mid-summer. A PEA is planned for before year-end. Springer stands out for its infrastructure as the site has paved road access, two hydropower dams adjacent to the claims, and power lines running through the property.
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