U.S. already has the critical minerals it needs, according to new analysis
18 hours ago
- #mining waste
- #critical minerals
- #resource recovery
- U.S. mines already extract critical minerals needed for energy, defense, and technology, but they are discarded as waste.
- Critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements end up in tailings from gold and zinc mining.
- Recovering these minerals requires more research, development, and policy support to make it economically feasible.
- A new analysis estimates that unrecovered byproducts could meet U.S. demand for all but two minerals (platinum and palladium).
- Recovering even small percentages of minerals like cobalt and germanium could eliminate the need for imports.
- Enhanced recovery would reduce environmental impact and create reuse opportunities in construction and other industries.
- Policies are needed to incentivize mine operators to invest in recovery infrastructure.