Utah-Based Ionic Mineral Technologies Appoints Kelton Smith as CTO

Smith will lead the company's technical operations as it moves the Silicon Ridge Project into its next stage, including engineering, process testing, production planning, and project scale-up.

Kelton Smith brings more than 25 years of experience in process engineering, plant construction, commissioning, and mining operations. He has also spent over 10 years working in rare earth and critical mineral processing.

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He previously worked at Molycorp, where he helped design, build, and start up the Mountain Pass rare earth mine and processing facility in California.

Smith also served as Director of Engineering at NioCorp Developments, where he supported the development of the Elk Creek critical minerals project in Nebraska, producing materials such as niobium, scandium, titanium, and rare earth elements.

“I have spent twenty-five years building and starting up critical mineral processing plants, and I have evaluated a great many projects along the way. Silicon Ridge stands apart,” said Kelton Smith.

“Silicon Ridge is entering the phase where projects are won or lost on execution — engineering discipline, process validation, procurement, and commissioning,” said Andre Zeitoun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ionic MT.

About Ionic Mineral Technologies

Founded in 2020 by Andre Zeitoun, Ionic Mineral Technologies is a U.S.-based company that produces advanced materials and critical mineral solutions. The company is developing the Silicon Ridge Project in Utah and operates a processing and development facility in Provo, Utah.

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