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| Mine Waste |
US Advances Critical Minerals Recovery from Mine Waste
The US government has intensified efforts to bolster its critical minerals supply by targeting mine waste and abandoned sites. These projects aim to extract rare earths, lithium, cobalt, and uranium—essential to defense, electronics, and clean energy sectors. The move aligns with broader policy goals to reduce dependence on foreign sources, especially China.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced new regulatory changes to fast-track recovery operations. These include streamlined permitting, eligibility for federal funding, and mandatory expedited reviews. The US Geological Survey (USGS) will also map federal lands to identify critical mineral hotspots in coal waste, tailings, and defunct uranium sites.
Mine Waste Emerges as Strategic Resource
USGS and state agencies have identified mineral-rich waste at several legacy sites. For example, Utah’s Bingham Canyon mine contains tellurium in copper tailings, while Oklahoma’s Tar Creek site holds zinc and germanium. Additionally, rare earth elements have been found in coal seam clays in the Appalachian and Illinois basins. These unconventional sources could unlock new domestic supply streams.
Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Secretary Adam Suess emphasized that unlocking these resources would strengthen national security and support economic resilience. He noted that reprocessing mine waste not only mitigates environmental liabilities but also enhances mineral self-sufficiency.
Policy Reinforces Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Competition
This policy shift builds on a broader push, dating back to the Trump administration, to revive the US mineral sector. In March, the Defense Production Act was invoked to boost domestic processing of rare earths and other key inputs. With global supply chains strained and geopolitical risks rising, reclaiming value from mine waste could serve both strategic and economic goals.
Critical minerals supply remains a linchpin for green tech, defense systems, and electric vehicle manufacturing. By transforming waste into resource, the US aims to lead in next-generation technology and reduce exposure to overseas supply shocks.
ScrapInsight Commentary
The US strategy to harvest critical minerals from mine waste marks a pivotal turn in resource policy. This approach could temper global supply volatility and reduce the dominance of Chinese processors. In the long term, it supports circular economy principles and strengthens the role of secondary resources in national mineral security.
