Aurubis Richmond metals recycling plant boosts US strategic metals supply

Aurubis Richmond metals

The Aurubis Richmond metals recycling plant is ramping up operations in Georgia, strengthening US access to strategic metals. The Aurubis Richmond metals recycling plant will recover copper, nickel, tin and precious metals from complex scrap streams. As a result, the Aurubis Richmond metals recycling plant is becoming an important pillar for US data centres, energy infrastructure and defence supply chains.

Expansion of high-value metals recycling capacity in the US

Aurubis is investing around $800mn in the Richmond facility to process up to 180,000 t/yr of recycled material. The plant will treat printed circuit boards, copper cable and other complex scrap that traditionally flowed to overseas processors. Therefore, the site supports onshore refining of metal units that are essential for electronics and power systems. The company has also signalled an “expansion stage” from 2026, which should further increase throughput and product range. This expansion aligns with rising demand for low-carbon, circular metal supply in North America.

Supporting strategic metals demand from energy and tech

Aurubis expects the Georgia facility to help meet growing US demand for “strategic metals” across several high-growth sectors. Data centres require reliable copper, nickel and precious metal supply for servers, networking and cooling systems. Meanwhile, energy infrastructure and grid upgrades depend on copper-intensive equipment such as transformers and high-voltage cables. Defence and advanced technology applications also need secure access to high-purity metals with traceable provenance. By turning scrap into refined metal, Aurubis reduces import dependence while lowering the environmental footprint of these critical value chains.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Aurubis’ move in Georgia confirms that advanced metals recycling is now strategic infrastructure, not just a waste-management activity. The key question is how fast similar facilities can scale to keep pace with US electrification and data-centre growth. For miners and refiners alike, the circular economy is no longer optional; it is becoming a core competitive advantage.