Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF) (FRA: N8I1) announced a strategic evolution of its board of directors, appointing Lorenzo Esteva, a senior financial and international business executive, to support the company's next phase of growth and planned transition to a senior U.S. exchange. The appointment comes as Ares moves from a development-stage mining company into an emerging strategic materials supplier with active mining operations, expanding processing infrastructure, and major U.S. government contracts.
Mr. Esteva brings more than 30 years of experience in senior financial, restructuring, wealth management, corporate advisory, and international business roles across the United States and Latin America. His background includes senior leadership positions at UBS Financial Services, Merrill Lynch, Prospero International, and Golden Ratio CS LLC. He has specialized in institutional and private capital markets, corporate restructuring, operational optimization, international business expansion, strategic partnerships, and cross-border finance.
James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, stated: "As Ares continues to mature into a larger and more institutionally focused company, it is essential that our Board evolves alongside it. Lorenzo brings an exceptional combination of banking, corporate finance, restructuring, and international commercial expertise that will be invaluable as we continue scaling operations, expanding internationally, and preparing for the next level of public market participation."
The board transition reflects Ares' evolution and is expected to strengthen the company's institutional market readiness, banking and financial relationships, commercial structuring capabilities, international business development efforts, and strategic growth planning. Mr. Esteva's appointment is particularly timely as Ares advances its fluorspar operations in Utah and pursues uplisting initiatives.
As part of this transition, Paul Sarjeant and Raul Sanabria have agreed to step down from the board. The company thanked both individuals for their commitment and guidance during Ares' formative stages and its successful advancement toward becoming the only domestic fluorspar producer in the United States.
Mr. Esteva is a seasoned financial executive and strategic advisor who graduated with honors from Tufts University in Boston, MA, with degrees in Economics/Finance and Classical Studies. He has worked extensively with institutional investors, family offices, private equity groups, and multinational commercial operations throughout the Americas. His expertise spans business development, risk management, capital structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and financial optimization.
Ares Strategic Mining is focused on developing its fluorspar projects in the U.S., aiming to become a significant supplier of high-grade fluorspar to North American markets. The company's Lost Sheep Fluorspar Project in Delta, Utah, is 100% owned, fully permitted, and covers 5,982 acres with 353 claims. A NI 43-101 Technical Report identified extensive high-grade fluorspar with low levels of impurities, and the mining plan has been approved by the Bureau of Land Management.
"Ares is entering a transformative period," added Walker. "Our operational progress, strategic government relationships, and expanding market position require a board with deep commercial and financial expertise capable of supporting a company operating at a much larger scale."
