Darwin Financial Company (DFC), an investment firm specializing in financing strategic mineral resource projects in the U.S., announced on Friday that it has reached a $55 million project financing agreement with INYOAG LLC to develop the historic Darwin mine in Inyo County, California.
The funds will be used to upgrade essential infrastructure, conduct exploration activities, and implement operational improvements at the Darwin mine, DFC stated.
The Darwin project seeks to breathe new life into a mining operation of historical significance, which has already seen over $749 million invested in its existing infrastructure. According to DFC, the mine boasts substantial proven reserves of critical minerals, including silver, lead, zinc, tungsten, and copper, as well as germanium, hafnium, gallium, and antimony—materials vital for technologies such as fiber optics, night vision equipment, aerospace alloys, and 5G networks.
The investment will facilitate the modernization and expansion of the mine’s operations, with a focus on extracting minerals essential to U.S. technology and defense industries. DFC emphasized that this initiative is aimed at bolstering America’s supply chain security by reducing its dependence on foreign sources for these critical minerals.
Additionally, DFC and INYOAG LLC are planning to develop a 100MW solar project, leveraging existing conduit rights of way to local power authorities to promote sustainable energy production for the mine and its surrounding areas.
The company also revealed plans to utilize the mine’s naturally cooled limestone crust to create chambers that will house an advanced data center for AI and bitcoin mining.
“This agreement represents a major milestone in our mission to secure America’s critical mineral future,” said Derek Pew, Managing Partner at DFC. “By partnering with INYOAG, we’re not just investing in a mine—we’re investing in U.S. technological leadership and national security.”