US Targets 1 Million Tons of Lithium Production by 2035, Says DoE

Department of Energy (DOE)

The US Department of Energy (DoE) projects that the country could produce 1 million metric tons (t) of battery-grade lithium by 2035. This output would be sufficient to meet domestic demand while allowing for exports to trading partners.

Scaling Up Domestic Lithium Production

The DoE's Loan Programs Office Director, Jigar Shah, emphasized the need to expand lithium extraction, processing, and recycling to support the growing lithium-ion battery industry. He noted that diverse lithium resources across multiple US regions could be unlocked using advanced technology and infrastructure investments.

The US plans to increase lithium supply through three key sources:

• Spodumene deposits in Charlotte, North Carolina, expected to produce 100,000-150,000 t/yr of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
• Albemarle’s Kings Mountain mine is one of the most advanced spodumene projects, projected to yield 50,000 t/yr of LCE.

• Brine and clay resources in Nevada, California's Imperial Valley, and the Arkansas Smackover Formation, estimated to contribute 500,000-1 million t/yr of LCE.
• These resources have lower lithium concentrations than South American reserves, but direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology can help process them efficiently.
• Recycling of end-of-life EV batteries, which could reduce the need for new lithium extraction, supplying 50,000-100,000 t/yr of LCE by 2035.

Government Investment in Lithium Infrastructure

The Biden administration has significantly increased investments in US lithium production to accelerate the clean energy transition.

In September 2024, the DoE selected 25 projects across 14 states, committing over $3 billion to expand domestic lithium supply. Additionally, the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, operated by Lithium Americas, received a $2.3 billion loan to build a 40,000 t/yr lithium carbonate facility.

In December 2024, the DoE also allocated $17 million to 14 critical mineral technology projects, reinforcing efforts to scale up lithium production.

Lithium’s Role in the US Energy Transition

According to the US Geological Survey, the US has 1.1 million tons of lithium reserves, compared to a global total of 28 million tons.

Shah highlighted that advancements in direct lithium extraction (DLE) could rapidly unlock large lithium resources, much like hydraulic fracturing transformed the oil and gas industry.

With global lithium demand rising, the US is positioning itself as a key player in the lithium supply chain, reducing dependence on foreign imports and strengthening the clean energy sector.

US critical minerals list expands to 60 materials

US critical minerals

The US critical minerals list has expanded to 60 materials, reshaping policy for metals, energy and agriculture. The updated US critical minerals list now adds boron, copper, lead, metallurgical coal, phosphate, potash, rhenium, silicon, silver and uranium. As a result, the US critical minerals list will guide US industrial strategy, investment priorities and supply chain risk management for years.

Why the US critical minerals list matters for industry

The new list reflects rising concern over supply chain vulnerability and geopolitical risk. US law requires the US Geological Survey to review critical minerals every three years, based on domestic manufacturing needs and import exposure. This process now captures more metals with defence, clean energy and advanced manufacturing applications.

Government agencies played a decisive role in shaping the final list. The Department of Defense pushed to keep arsenic and tellurium, citing key national security uses. The Department of Energy backed metallurgical coal and uranium because of their importance for steel, power generation and defence. These decisions show how critical mineral policy is converging with broader security and industrial goals.

Boron’s inclusion highlights growing dependence on specialised inputs for steelmaking and high-tech uses. The US relies heavily on ferro-boron imports from China, creating a strategic vulnerability. By classifying boron as critical, policymakers can prioritise domestic projects, alternative suppliers and recycling pathways.

Agriculture, fertilizers and the critical minerals agenda

Fertilizer inputs now sit squarely inside the critical minerals framework. Phosphate and potash both entered the list, reflecting their central role in food security. Industry group The Fertilizer Institute welcomed the move, expecting clearer policy support for investment and capacity growth.

Phosphate’s addition is especially significant for US farmers. Market participants and officials had campaigned for its inclusion after the draft list omitted it. The US Department of Agriculture ultimately backed phosphate as a critical mineral because crop yields and global food stability depend on reliable, affordable supply.

As a result, fertilizer supply chains may see more targeted incentives, permitting support and risk monitoring. Recognising phosphate and potash as critical could reduce price volatility and import shocks, while encouraging long-term domestic production and storage strategies.

 

The Metalnomist Commentary

Washington’s broader US critical minerals list strategy now clearly reaches beyond battery metals into steel, energy and fertilizers. By aligning national security, climate policy and food security inside one critical minerals framework, the US is quietly redrawing the map of “strategic materials.” For miners, processors and recyclers, this list will increasingly shape where capital flows and which projects move fastest through the policy pipeline.

US Gallium Recovery Projects Target Domestic Supply Chain for Defense and Semiconductors

DOE(The US Department of Energy)

US gallium recovery projects will receive $5.4mn in funding from the Department of Energy as Washington tries to rebuild domestic supply for a metal critical to defense systems, semiconductors and advanced electronics. The funding will support five US-based projects under the Technology for Recovery and Advanced Critical-material Extraction – Gallium initiative.

The TRACE-Ga initiative is designed to prototype technologies that can recover gallium from US metal-processing feedstocks. This is important because the US is fully import-reliant for gallium and has not produced the metal domestically since 1987.

US gallium recovery projects are gaining urgency because gallium is essential for compound semiconductor materials, including gallium nitride. These materials support power electronics, radio-frequency devices, radar systems, satellite communications, fast chargers, LEDs and other high-performance technologies.

The funding is modest in scale, but strategically important. It signals that the US is no longer focusing only on mining new critical minerals. It is also trying to recover strategic metals from industrial by-products, waste streams and existing processing networks.

TRACE-Ga Funding Targets Recovery From Existing Feedstocks

The DOE award will support five companies working on gallium recovery technologies. Participants include PHNX Materials, Atlantic Alumina Company, Found Energy, Kunin Technologies and Indium Corporation.

The selection of companies shows how broad the recovery opportunity could become. Gallium is not usually mined as a primary product. It is commonly recovered as a by-product from other industrial processes, especially alumina and zinc-related supply chains.

This makes gallium recovery different from conventional mining. The key challenge is not only finding deposits, but identifying feedstocks where gallium exists in recoverable concentrations and developing technologies that can extract it economically.

Industrial waste refiner PHNX Materials could support recovery from complex waste streams. Atlantic Alumina Company brings relevance to alumina-linked feedstock. Found Energy adds an aluminum-related industrial angle, while Kunin Technologies focuses on mineral by-product recovery. Indium Corporation brings downstream metals refining and manufacturing expertise.

The TRACE-Ga initiative therefore targets the middle of the supply chain. It seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory recovery methods and scalable domestic production.

That gap matters because gallium supply is highly concentrated. China dominates primary gallium production and has used export controls to increase pressure on global buyers. For US defense and semiconductor supply chains, reliance on foreign gallium has become a clear strategic risk.

Domestic recovery could help reduce that exposure. Even if early projects produce limited volumes, they can prove process routes, identify feedstock partners and create the technical base for larger recovery systems.

The use of US metal-processing feedstocks also fits a wider circular materials strategy. Instead of waiting for new mines, the US can extract critical materials from industrial streams already moving through domestic facilities.

This could make recovery faster than new primary production. However, it still requires technical success, feedstock security, refining capability and customer qualification.

Gallium Nitride Demand Raises Strategic Pressure

Gallium’s strategic value has increased because of its role in gallium nitride and other compound semiconductor materials. Gallium nitride is widely used where high power, high frequency, efficiency and heat performance matter.

These applications are highly relevant to defense and advanced electronics. Radar, communications systems, satellite technologies, power conversion equipment and semiconductor devices all rely on materials where gallium can be difficult to substitute.

The DOE’s TRACE-Ga funding also sits alongside a larger notice of funding opportunity of up to $69mn. That programme targets technologies and processes that advance domestic production and refining of critical materials, including gallium and gallium nitride for semiconductor applications.

This shows that Washington is building a layered funding strategy. TRACE-Ga supports recovery prototypes, while broader DOE programmes aim to scale refining, alloying and advanced material production.

For the semiconductor industry, domestic gallium supply is not only a raw material issue. It is connected to wafer production, epitaxy, device manufacturing, packaging and defense procurement. A shortage or export disruption at the gallium stage can move through the entire compound semiconductor chain.

This is why gallium recovery matters even if volumes are small at first. Strategic materials often have low tonnage but high consequence. A reliable domestic supply stream can reduce procurement risk for critical systems.

The challenge will be commercialisation. Recovery from waste and by-products can be technically complex because gallium concentrations may be low and feedstock chemistry can vary. Companies must prove that their processes can recover gallium consistently, meet purity requirements and operate at competitive cost.

The US also needs downstream refining capacity. Recovering gallium-bearing material is not enough if the material cannot be refined into forms suitable for semiconductor and defense applications.

The DOE funding is therefore best understood as an early-stage industrial rebuilding tool. It does not immediately solve US gallium dependence, but it helps create the technologies and partnerships needed to rebuild supply.

The Metalnomist Commentary

US gallium recovery projects show that critical mineral security increasingly depends on recovering by-products from existing industrial systems. The strategic test will be whether TRACE-Ga can move beyond prototypes and create reliable domestic feedstock for gallium nitride, defense electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

Largo and Stryten Launch Storion Energy to Boost U.S. Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Market

Largo

Largo and Stryten Energy have officially formed Storion Energy, a joint venture designed to produce vanadium electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The collaboration aims to strengthen the U.S. long-duration energy storage (LDES) sector by reducing reliance on imported vanadium-based energy solutions.

Storion will combine Stryten’s proprietary VRFB technology with vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) from Largo’s Maracás Menchen Mine in Brazil, providing a reliable domestic supply of vanadium electrolyte for U.S. battery manufacturers. The venture seeks to expand VRFB adoption as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, particularly in applications requiring extended-duration energy storage.

Reducing Costs to Compete with Lithium-Ion Batteries

One of the major challenges for VRFB deployment in Western markets is the high cost of vanadium electrolyte, which accounts for 40-50% of a VRFB system’s total cost, depending on market vanadium prices.

Storion plans to supply vanadium electrolyte at just $0.02/kWh, well below the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) target of $0.05/kWh for flow batteries that provide at least 10 hours of energy storage. This cost reduction is made possible by:

• Stryten’s advanced technology for efficient electrolyte production.

• Largo’s vanadium leasing model through Largo Physical Vanadium, which helps mitigate upfront material costs.

Strategic U.S. Manufacturing Presence

Storion Energy will operate out of Alpharetta, Georgia—where Stryten’s headquarters is located—and Wilmington, Massachusetts, home to Largo Clean Energy. This dual-location setup will enable efficient production and distribution of vanadium electrolytes, enhancing domestic energy security and accelerating VRFB commercialization.

US Finalizes 45X Tax Credits to Boost Clean Energy Manufacturing

US renewable energy projects

The US Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service has finalized rules for the 45X advanced manufacturing tax credit, an initiative under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The credit is designed to spur investment in domestic manufacturing for components used in wind, solar, and battery systems, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening the US clean energy supply chain.

Key Highlights of the 45X Tax Credit

• Incentives for Components:

- Solar cells: 4¢/W

- Solar modules: 7¢/W

- Photovoltaic wafers: $12/m²

- Wind turbine blades: 2¢/blade

- Battery cells: $35/kWh

• Mineral Production Tax Credit: US producers of critical minerals like aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, and nickel can claim 10% of production costs.

Phased Expiry of Credits

The credits will begin phasing out after 2030:

• 75% of the original value for components sold in 2030.
• 50% for 2031.
• Expiring completely after 2033.

Impact on the Renewable Sector

The 45X credit is expected to bolster the US solar industry, which has long relied on imported photovoltaic cells and modules, primarily from China and Southeast Asia. These imports are subject to tariffs and trade investigations, creating additional hurdles for developers.

US-based companies such as First Solar, Enel, and Qcells have already announced plans to establish manufacturing facilities in the US, citing the credits as a critical driver.

A Step Towards Energy Independence

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm highlighted the broader implications of the credits:

"These final rules will help strengthen energy dominance while reducing emissions and leveling the playing field for US companies."

With solar and wind energy demand continuing to grow, the 45X tax credit represents a significant step in building a robust, domestic clean energy manufacturing ecosystem, ensuring the US remains competitive in the global energy transition.

US Critical Mineral Processing Funding Targets Domestic Battery Supply Chain

Critical Mineral

US critical mineral processing funding is moving into another major round as the Department of Energy prepares to allocate up to $500mn for processing, recycling, and derivative battery manufacturing projects. The funding opportunity is designed to support US-based projects that can strengthen domestic supply of critical minerals and battery materials.

The Department of Energy will target projects that process raw feedstocks, recycle critical materials, or manufacture battery materials and components. The agency specifically identified battery-related materials such as lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, and aluminum among its areas of focus.

US critical mineral processing funding is becoming a central tool in Washington’s effort to reduce dependence on offshore refining and battery material supply chains. The latest funding round also shows that the US is not only focused on mining, but on the midstream capacity needed to convert raw materials into usable industrial inputs.

DOE Funding Pushes Midstream Capacity Beyond Mining

Critical mineral processing remains one of the most difficult gaps in the US battery supply chain. Mining projects can expand raw material availability, but domestic industrial resilience depends on refining, chemical conversion, recycling, and component manufacturing.

The new funding opportunity will support projects that can process critical minerals from raw feedstocks and recycle valuable materials back into the supply chain. This approach reflects the growing importance of black mass, scrap, and secondary materials as strategic inputs for battery production.

DOE battery materials funding also gives policy support to companies working across lithium chemicals, graphite processing, nickel products, copper materials, aluminum inputs, and battery component manufacturing. These segments are essential for electric vehicles, grid storage, defense electrification, and industrial energy systems.

Battery Manufacturing Policy Enters Third Funding Round

The latest funding notice marks the third round in recent years under the DOE’s battery materials processing and battery manufacturing and recycling programs. In September 2024, the agency selected 25 projects to receive more than $3bn to expand domestic battery, component, and critical material supply.

The new $500mn opportunity extends that policy direction. It gives the US another mechanism to move from strategic mineral rhetoric toward physical processing capacity, especially in areas where China still dominates global refining and battery material production.

Applicants must submit non-binding letters of intent by 27 March, with full applications due by 24 April. The timeline signals that the DOE wants near-term project visibility and a faster pipeline of investable domestic capacity.

US critical mineral processing funding will be especially important for companies that can prove commercial readiness, feedstock security, and scalable production. The strongest projects will likely be those that connect raw material access with downstream battery customers and recycling loops.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The US is now treating processing capacity as the real bottleneck in critical minerals security. Funding can accelerate projects, but the strategic test will be whether supported companies can deliver cost-competitive, qualified material at industrial scale.

U.S. Department of Energy Amplifies Commitment to Critical Mineral Technologies with $17 Million Investment

Infinite Elements

Strengthening National Energy Security through Advanced Material Innovations

The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has announced a significant investment of $17 million in 14 cutting-edge critical mineral technology projects. This strategic initiative, spanning 11 states, is poised to bolster the nation's energy security and enhance domestic supply chains essential for clean and advanced technologies.

Targeted Improvements Across the Board

These projects, orchestrated by the DoE's Critical Materials Collaborative, aim to refine manufacturing processes for key technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, semiconductors for electric vehicles, and components for wind and solar energy solutions. The focus extends to magnets used in wind turbines and motors, alongside advancements in battery and electronic technologies.

Key domestic materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, rare earth elements, platinum group metals, silicon carbide, copper, and graphite are under exploration to expedite their commercial readiness, as per the DoE's strategy.

Highlighting Innovative Projects and Collaborations

Among the 14 projects, four are dedicated to developing magnets that require fewer critical materials. These are taking place in notable institutions and companies including the University of Texas at Arlington, Iowa State University’s Ames National Laboratory, ABB Inc., and Niron Magnetics Inc.

Furthermore, the DoE has funded six projects focused on enhancing the processing and manufacturing operations of critical materials. Collaborators in these projects include Free Form Fibers, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the University of North Dakota, Ames National Laboratory, Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Summit Nanotech Corporation.

Recovery and recycling efforts are also part of this initiative, with two projects aimed at reclaiming critical materials from scrap and recycled products. These are underway at Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University and the metal recovery company, Infinite Elements.

The initiative's final push includes projects designed to reduce critical material content in clean energy technologies, involving innovators like hydrogen specialist Celadyne Technologies and battery pioneer COnovate.

US Antimony Bolivia Processing Facility Expands the Western Antimony Supply Chain

US Antimony, Bolivia plant

The US Antimony Bolivia processing facility could strengthen one of the West’s most constrained critical mineral chains. US Antimony said it helped develop a hydrometallurgical facility in Bolivia to refine antimony and other critical minerals at commercial scale. The company will be the sole recipient of processed antimony flake from the site. As a result, the US Antimony Bolivia processing facility may become an important upstream support point for western antimony supply.

This development matters because antimony remains strategically sensitive and commercially tight. US Antimony expects the higher-quality flake from Bolivia to raise throughput at its Thompson Falls smelter in Montana. The company plans to receive an initial 150-metric-tonne shipment in February or March. Therefore, the US Antimony Bolivia processing facility is not just a technology project. It is already linking directly to near-term metal and trioxide production.

The agreement also gives US Antimony more than supply access. The company secured the exclusive right to duplicate the Bolivian hydrometallurgical process in North America and Australia. That means the US Antimony Bolivia processing facility could serve as a template for wider regional expansion. Consequently, the project may help create a more scalable western antimony processing model.

Hydrometallurgical Antimony Processing Offers a Faster Route to Capacity Growth

Hydrometallurgical antimony processing is becoming the most important strategic feature of this deal. US Antimony said the Bolivian facility expanded output 15-fold since it began funding the site in mid-2025. That rise suggests the processing route can scale quickly when supported with capital and feedstock. As a result, hydrometallurgical antimony processing may offer a more flexible alternative to slower traditional capacity build-outs.

The feedstock base also supports the project’s commercial relevance. The facility uses stibnite concentrate or tetrahedrite concentrate to produce antimony. That flexibility matters because diversified feed options can improve plant utilisation and reduce procurement risk. Meanwhile, the company noted that similar methods and equipment could also refine other critical minerals. Therefore, the process may carry broader value beyond antimony alone.

This model fits the current strategic environment in critical minerals. Governments and processors increasingly want smaller, faster, and more adaptable refining assets. Large mining projects still matter, but midstream processing gaps often create the real bottlenecks. Consequently, hydrometallurgical antimony processing may attract stronger attention from both policymakers and investors.

Western Antimony Supply Chain Ambitions Are Moving Toward Domestic Replication

Western antimony supply chain strategy now appears to be shifting from dependence toward duplication. US Antimony said it expects to develop one or more hydrometallurgical facilities in the United States in the near future. Those sites would likely be located in the western continental US and or Alaska. Therefore, the company is clearly aiming to regionalise the process rather than rely on Bolivia alone.

Funding plans reinforce that ambition. US Antimony requested $44mn from the US Department of Energy for a US hydrometallurgical facility. It also plans to seek Department of Defense support for another location near Montana. That combination suggests the company sees antimony as both a commercial opportunity and a strategic materials priority. As a result, the western antimony supply chain could gain a stronger domestic processing base if funding is secured.

The broader implication is significant for critical minerals markets. Antimony has often been discussed as a supply risk, but less often as a processing challenge. This project changes that framing by focusing on conversion capacity and material quality. If US Antimony can replicate the Bolivian model successfully, it may move from being a niche processor to a more important builder of western antimony supply resilience.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This story matters because it is about process control as much as metal supply. US Antimony is trying to turn one successful hydrometallurgical model into a repeatable western platform. If that strategy works, antimony could become a rare example of a critical mineral chain that improves through midstream replication rather than waiting for major new mines.

Vulcan US magnet plant signals new era for recycled rare earth magnets

Vulcan Elements

The Vulcan US magnet plant will anchor a new recycled rare earth magnet supply chain in North America. The project targets 10,000 metric tonnes per year of magnet production, focused on recycling magnets and electronic waste. As a result, the Vulcan US magnet plant directly supports US reshoring efforts in rare earth magnets for defence and clean energy.

Vulcan US magnet plant built on public–private financing

The Vulcan US magnet plant will rely on a blended finance structure combining US government and private capital. Vulcan secured a $620mn direct loan from the Department of Defense and $50mn in equity from the US Department of Commerce, alongside $550mn in private funding. This mix underlines Washington’s view of rare earth magnets as critical defence infrastructure rather than a pure commodity business.

Vulcan’s structure also gives federal agencies upside exposure. The Defense Department will receive warrants in both Vulcan and its processing partner ReElement Technologies, while Commerce takes a direct equity stake in Vulcan. Therefore the capital stack aligns national security objectives with commercial returns, a pattern increasingly common across US critical minerals projects.

Recycling and diversified feedstock at the heart of the model

Vulcan partners with ReElement Technologies to convert end-of-life magnets, electronic waste and mined concentrates into high-purity rare earth oxides. This model leans on urban mining and recycling to reduce dependence on imported primary rare earths. In parallel, supply agreements with Energy Fuels and ReElement provide neodymium-praseodymium and dysprosium oxides, plus broader light and heavy rare earth oxides.

The plant’s design aims squarely at high-performance permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and defence platforms. By combining recycled material with mined concentrates, the project improves resilience against export controls and price volatility. If the Vulcan US magnet plant ramps as planned, it could become a key node in a closed-loop rare earth ecosystem in the US.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Vulcan’s entry shows how the magnet segment is becoming the strategic front line of rare earth industrial policy. Government-backed recycling-centric capacity may set a benchmark for future US projects, especially as defence supply chain audits tighten. The real test will be scaling efficiently while meeting strict magnet performance specs for automotive and defence customers.

US Offshore Mineral Lease Request Begins Federal Evaluation Process

Impossible Metals

US offshore mineral lease evaluation commenced as the Department of Interior initiates assessment of deep-sea mining company Impossible Metals' request for critical minerals exploration off American Samoa. The unprecedented US offshore mineral lease application submitted to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on April 8th targets nickel, magnesium, cobalt, copper, and rare earth minerals using autonomous underwater robotics, representing the first commercial critical minerals lease request in federal outer continental shelf waters.

Federal Register Process Launches Public Comment Period

US offshore mineral lease evaluation will begin with Federal Register notice publication soliciting public comment on Impossible Metals' application under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953. BOEM regulates federally managed ocean areas spanning 3-200 nautical miles offshore, encompassing the outer continental shelf where critical minerals deposits potentially exist. This formal evaluation process marks unprecedented territory as BOEM has never issued commercial leases for critical minerals exploration or extraction according to the Congressional Research Service.

Meanwhile, the application targets ferro-manganese crusts and polymetallic nodules identified by BOEM studies as potential sources of manganese, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth minerals. These formations occur in areas offshore of US Pacific islands, including American Samoa, where Impossible Metals plans autonomous underwater robot deployment. The technology approach represents advanced deep-sea mining capabilities designed for minimal environmental impact while accessing strategic mineral resources.

Strategic Minerals Access Addresses Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

However, the lease request reflects broader US government priorities to secure domestic critical minerals access amid global supply chain vulnerabilities. Nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements represent essential materials for clean energy technologies, electric vehicle batteries, and defense applications. Offshore mineral resources could diversify supply sources beyond traditional mining jurisdictions while reducing import dependencies.

Therefore, American Samoa's location positions potential operations strategically within US territorial waters while accessing Pacific Ocean mineral formations. The outer continental shelf contains substantial untapped critical minerals reserves that could support domestic manufacturing and energy transition requirements. Federal evaluation will assess environmental impacts, technical feasibility, and regulatory frameworks for sustainable deep-sea mining operations.

Regulatory Precedent Shapes Future Deep-Sea Mining Policy

Furthermore, BOEM's evaluation will establish regulatory precedents for future commercial critical minerals applications in US waters. The comprehensive assessment includes environmental impact analysis, stakeholder consultation, and technical review of proposed mining methodologies. Federal agencies must balance resource development opportunities with marine ecosystem protection and existing ocean use activities.

As a result, the Impossible Metals application represents a test case for US deep-sea mining regulatory frameworks while addressing critical minerals supply security objectives. Successful evaluation could unlock substantial offshore mineral resources supporting domestic clean energy and defense industries. The precedent-setting nature of this application will influence future policy development for critical minerals extraction in federal waters.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The US offshore mineral lease evaluation represents a watershed moment for American critical minerals policy, potentially establishing the regulatory framework for accessing vast untapped seabed resources essential for clean energy and defense applications. While environmental considerations will require careful assessment, the strategic importance of reducing import dependencies for critical materials may drive supportive policy outcomes that could reshape US mineral supply chain security through innovative deep-sea mining technologies.

GTP Tungsten Oxide Stockpile Expansion Strengthens US Defense Supply

GTP Tungsten & Powders

GTP tungsten oxide stockpile plans will expand US access to one of the most strategically sensitive defense metals. Global Tungsten and Powders plans to raise tungsten oxide production capacity at its Towanda, Pennsylvania, plant to about 12,000 t/yr.

The GTP tungsten oxide stockpile will support US defense and critical industries, with initial deliveries expected later this year. The company did not disclose the exact volume dedicated to the reserve.

The GTP tungsten oxide stockpile is significant because tungsten is essential for armour-piercing ammunition, aircraft engine components, electronics, hard metals and other high-performance applications. Defence currently accounts for about 10% of global tungsten demand, but that share is rising as military budgets expand.

GTP, part of Austria’s Plansee group, already has around 10,000 t/yr of tungsten oxide capacity, although output can vary by about 15% depending on operating conditions. The planned expansion would give the US a stronger domestic platform for strategic tungsten oxide supply.

Recycling-Based Supply Supports Traceability and Security

The stockpile will use tungsten oxide sourced from recycled scrap and concentrates. This structure is important because US strategic materials procurement increasingly requires clear sourcing, traceability and supply-chain security.

Recycling is already central to GTP’s Towanda operation. Recycled material accounted for the majority of supply in 2025, when the plant recorded a recycling rate of 90%.

This gives the project a stronger compliance profile. Tungsten supply chains are exposed to geopolitical risk, concentrated processing and origin scrutiny, so recycled feedstock can help reduce dependence on higher-risk primary sources.

Tungsten recycling also supports industrial resilience. Scrap recovery can preserve valuable metal units inside the US system while reducing exposure to foreign concentrate availability.

For defense users, the key requirement is not only tonnage. They need reliable, traceable and qualified material that can be converted into powders, carbides, alloys and components without supply interruption.

The Towanda expansion therefore addresses a strategic gap. It does not only increase tungsten oxide capacity; it creates a more controlled domestic reserve tied to recycled and traceable inputs.

Stockpiling Moves From Emergency Buffer to Industrial Tool

Plansee US Holding has formed a joint venture with Manhattan Five to establish the stockpile. Manhattan Five will oversee warehousing, logistics and long-term asset management, while Plansee will lead production growth and supply.

The structure separates metal production from storage and asset management. That distinction matters because strategic stockpiles require more than buying material. They need inventory systems, logistics, inspection, rotation policies and long-term custody control.

The Defense Logistics Agency manages strategic and critical material procurement for the National Defense Stockpile. This system supports military and federal customers that need access to critical materials during supply disruptions.

The GTP project aligns with broader US priorities and could qualify for support from the Department of Defense, Department of Energy or the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Washington is also preparing Project Vault, a proposed $12bn critical minerals stockpile for US manufacturers. The programme would be funded by $2bn in private capital and a loan.

The broader policy direction is clear. The US is moving from passive dependence on global tungsten markets toward active supply-chain positioning through stockpiles, domestic processing, recycling and public-private financing.

For tungsten markets, this could tighten competition for clean feedstock, especially recycled scrap and compliant concentrates. It may also raise the strategic value of processors that can meet US sourcing and traceability rules.

The Metalnomist Commentary

GTP’s tungsten oxide expansion shows that US stockpiling is becoming more industrially sophisticated. The strategic advantage will come not from holding material alone, but from linking stockpiles to recycling, domestic processing and qualified defense supply chains.

EIA International Energy Outlook 2025 Cancelled Amid Workforce Cuts and Budget Uncertainty

EIA: Energy Information Administration

EIA cites staff losses as key reason for halting global energy outlook

Energy market stakeholders face data gap as long-term models go offline

The EIA International Energy Outlook 2025 will not be released this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has confirmed. This key global energy report, which models long-term supply and demand, has been canceled due to a significant loss of staff resulting from recent federal downsizing efforts.

EIA cites staff losses and institutional risk

According to an internal memo from EIA’s Office of Energy Analysis, the agency lacks the human resources to complete the report. Over one-third of the agency’s 350 staff reportedly accepted voluntary buyouts, with no firm commitment yet on restoring capacity. As a result, remaining personnel are now focused on preserving modeling knowledge, documentation, and long-term data integrity.

Industry stakeholders left without a key forecasting tool

The absence of the EIA International Energy Outlook 2025 disrupts global energy forecasting for oil producers, utilities, regulators, and foreign governments. Although the agency released its Annual Energy Outlook last month, it omitted key in-depth analysis. Technical delays have also affected near-term data, including a May disruption to natural gas reporting.

The EIA has not ruled out releasing the 2025 International Outlook in early 2026 but did not confirm a schedule. Meanwhile, the White House has proposed an 18% cut to the non-nuclear Department of Energy budget, adding further uncertainty to the agency’s outlook publishing capacity.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The loss of the EIA International Energy Outlook 2025 deprives global energy markets of a foundational forecasting tool. As geopolitical and supply chain uncertainties grow, the lack of credible U.S. modeling raises concerns for long-term planning, particularly for developing economies and cross-border energy investment.

Updates Mining Rebate Rules: What You Need to Know

US Mining

The United States has introduced significant updates to its mining rebate rules, affecting companies in the mining and materials processing sectors. The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released definitive rules on Thursday regarding the Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit, a part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. This credit was designed to foster investment in the U.S. manufacturing of components for wind, solar, and battery systems.

Key Changes to the Mining Rebate Rules

The new regulations bring forth an important adjustment for mining companies, particularly regarding "extraction costs." Previously, under the proposed guidance issued in December, extraction was not considered part of the production costs eligible for the 10% rebate. The rationale was that the extraction process was seen as too far removed from the ultimate production of an eligible component, such as those used in wind and solar energy systems.

However, after considerable feedback from stakeholders, the Treasury Department and IRS revised their stance. The updated rules now allow mining companies to claim the rebate for their extraction costs, provided the raw materials are processed into an eligible component. For example, lithium must be refined into lithium hydroxide, which can then be used directly in the production of batteries.

While the regulators acknowledged the importance of value-added processing activities, such as refining and purifying raw materials, they also clarified that "the action of extraction alone does not produce an eligible component." This decision effectively allows certain mining activities to qualify for the credit, but it is important to note that extraction alone, without subsequent processing, does not meet the eligibility requirements.

Industry Reactions and Future Implications

The updated guidance has generated mixed reactions within the industry. On one hand, groups representing mining companies welcomed the inclusion of extraction in some capacity, recognizing the importance of the sector in the overall supply chain for clean energy technologies. On the other hand, some stakeholders, including the National Mining Association (NMA), expressed disappointment over the narrow scope of the final rules.

Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association, argued that the decision to limit the rebate to producers who also refine materials would exclude many crucial projects from benefiting from the credit. He suggested that this limitation goes against the intentions of Congress in fostering a robust domestic supply chain for critical minerals.

The Bigger Picture: Supporting Clean Energy and Domestic Manufacturing

This policy shift reflects a broader push by the U.S. government to bolster clean energy production and reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. The Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit is an essential part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to position the U.S. as a leader in the production of clean energy technologies. As the demand for minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt grows—critical materials for battery production—the role of domestic mining and refining becomes increasingly important.

Mining companies, however, will need to balance the rebate’s requirements with the investment needed for refining capabilities. Many smaller mining operations may struggle to meet the additional processing requirements, potentially leaving them at a disadvantage compared to larger, more established companies with the necessary infrastructure.

In conclusion, the update to the mining rebate rules marks a step forward in supporting domestic mining and clean energy initiatives but leaves room for further development. The debate over the scope of the credit is likely to continue as stakeholders assess its impact on the industry and its ability to meet the growing demand for clean energy components.

Gunnison Copper first cathode production boosts US copper supply ambitions

Gunnison Copper

Gunnison Copper first cathode production marks a key milestone for US domestic copper supply. The company produced its first copper cathode at the Johnson Camp Mine in Arizona in late August, ahead of schedule. As a result, the Gunnison Copper first cathode production strengthens US efforts to secure critical minerals for energy transition.

Early ramp-up at Johnson Camp Mine underpins new US copper source

Gunnison Copper first cathode production follows the successful start of solvent extraction and electrowinning operations. The company began running its SX plant and EW circuit in August, using run-of-mine ore from the Arizona site. Therefore, the project now moves from development into early ramp-up, which often proves pivotal for leaching projects.

The company expects to produce 25mn lbs per year of copper cathode, equal to about 11,300 tonnes. This scale does not rival major Chilean or Peruvian mines, yet it still matters for US niche supply. Meanwhile, the focus on finished cathode production rather than concentrates aligns with growing demand from North American smelters and fabricators.

Funding support highlights the broader strategic value of this new copper stream. The Johnson Camp Mine received backing from Nuton, a Rio Tinto venture focused on innovative copper technologies. In addition, the project secured $13.9mn in US Department of Energy tax credits in January to support domestic copper production.

Strategic context for US energy transition and critical minerals policy

The Gunnison Copper first cathode production arrives as policymakers push for more resilient US copper supply chains. Copper demand continues to rise across electric vehicles, renewable power and grid upgrades. Therefore, new SX–EW operations like Johnson Camp help reduce dependence on imported copper units.

Federal tax credits signal Washington’s willingness to support qualifying critical mineral projects. As a result, projects such as Johnson Camp can de-risk early capital phases and accelerate commissioning schedules. However, Gunnison Copper must still deliver consistent production performance, maintain environmental compliance and manage operating costs in Arizona’s competitive mining landscape.

For investors and copper buyers, the project offers modest but meaningful additional US cathode volumes. It may also showcase Nuton and Rio Tinto’s broader technology and partnership model for brownfield and mid-scale assets. Over time, similar projects could play a larger role in regional copper balance and contract pricing dynamics.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Gunnison Copper’s first cathode production at Johnson Camp illustrates how smaller US projects can still punch above their weight in policy terms. While volumes remain limited, the combination of Nuton funding and DOE tax support shows how technology and incentives now shape copper growth. Market participants should watch ramp-up performance closely, since SX–EW reliability will determine whether this asset becomes a durable pillar of US cathode supply.

US Imposes Tariffs on Solar Imports from Four Asian Countries

US Solar

The U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed new duties on solar products imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The preliminary ruling, announced on Tuesday, claims that manufacturers in these countries have benefited from subsidies that allow them to undercut U.S. companies, thereby disrupting fair competition. The tariffs target crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules, with rates ranging from less than 1% to nearly 293%, depending on the individual companies and their responses to Commerce’s inquiries.

Tariffs Range Widely, Affecting Industry Dynamics

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will now begin collecting cash deposits from importers to match the preliminary subsidy rates. The baseline rates are set as low as 2.85% for Vietnamese imports and as high as 23.06% for those from Thailand, but individual companies could face much higher tariffs if found to be "non-responsive" to Commerce’s investigation. These duties are retroactive by 90 days, adding pressure to the affected importers.

This action stems from a petition filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, a coalition of U.S. solar companies including FirstSolar, Mission Solar Energy, and Hanwha Q Cells. The group alleged that Chinese companies have been circumventing U.S. trade law by setting up production in Southeast Asia, exporting large volumes of subsidized solar products to the U.S. under the guise of local manufacturing. This allowed these companies to avoid duties imposed by previous investigations, leading to what the coalition claims is a distortion of the U.S. market.

In 2022, President Biden temporarily paused new duties from a related investigation to mitigate disruption in the U.S. solar market. However, critics argue that this gave Chinese companies an opportunity to shift their supply chains to Southeast Asia. Tim Brightbill, lead counsel for the coalition, expects the preliminary rates to rise as Commerce gathers more data from affected companies. "We are confident that the duty rates will increase as Commerce continues to investigate newly alleged subsidies," he said.

Industry Divided on the Impact of New Tariffs

The decision has sparked a debate within the U.S. clean energy sector. While manufacturers like FirstSolar support the tariffs as a means to protect domestic industry, other trade groups, such as the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), warn that the tariffs could hinder the country’s decarbonization efforts. ACORE CEO Ray Long emphasized the need for a balanced approach, stating, "What America's clean energy sector needs right now is a balanced trade policy that sustains the progress we're making deploying clean energy and ramping up domestic manufacturing capabilities."

Commerce is set to release a preliminary antidumping determination on November 27, which could further affect the industry landscape. Petitioners have requested that Commerce issue final determinations on both countervailing and antidumping duties simultaneously, which would potentially arrive by April 11, 2025. Without joint issuance, a separate determination on countervailing duties could come as soon as February 10, 2025.

Ucore Secures $18M DOD Grant to Expand U.S. Rare Earth Separation Plant

Ucore Rare Metals

Strategic Metals Complex to Process Key REEs by 2026

Ucore Rare Metals has received $18.4 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to expand its rare earth separation plant in Louisiana, significantly advancing domestic REE processing capabilities. The Focus Keyphrase "Ucore rare earth separation plant" reflects the facility’s rising strategic value amid efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains.

This funding increases a previous $4 million agreement with the U.S. Army Contracting Command and will support Phase II development of the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC) in Alexandria. The plant aims to commercially separate six critical rare earth elements — including neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium — all of which are vital for defense and clean energy technologies.

Kingston Prototype Expansion and Commercial Scale-Up

The DOD grant also backs the expansion of Ucore’s REE separation prototype facility in Kingston, Ontario, enhancing the company’s technical foundation for scaling commercial operations. Together, the Louisiana and Ontario sites will form an integrated North American rare earth supply chain.

Ucore’s SMC facility will process both light and heavy rare earth oxides at commercial volumes. These include materials used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military applications. The company plans to begin construction and initial production in the second half of 2026.

Strengthening U.S. Rare Earth Independence

This investment demonstrates the U.S. government’s commitment to de-risking critical mineral supply chains, especially in response to China's tightening export controls on rare earths. Ucore’s project is one of the few in North America capable of separating multiple rare earth elements at commercial scale.

The development aligns with national defense priorities and the Inflation Reduction Act’s push to localize materials essential to the energy transition and strategic manufacturing.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Ucore’s rare earth separation plant, backed by the Department of Defense, signals a decisive step toward reshoring high-value critical mineral processing. With construction slated for 2026, the SMC could become a cornerstone of U.S. rare earth independence in an increasingly geopolitically charged market.

Smackover Lithium Phase 1 Approval Clears Path for U.S. Brine-Based Lithium Expansion

Smackover Lithium

The Smackover Lithium Phase 1 approval marks a major milestone for U.S. lithium production, as Arkansas regulators greenlight the company’s brine extraction plans. The Smackover Lithium Phase 1 approval allows the joint venture to begin developing its Reynolds brine unit as part of a broader strategy to scale domestic battery-grade lithium output.

Phase 1 Targets 22,500 t/yr from Reynolds Brine Unit

The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AGOC) approved the establishment of a lithium brine production unit at the South West Arkansas (SWA) project. The Reynolds unit spans 20,854 acres and is set to produce 22,500 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate. Full-scale Phase 1 production is targeted for 2028.

Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between U.S.-based Standard Lithium and Norwegian energy firm Equinor. The project is based in Lafayette and Columbia Counties and will be developed in two equal phases, ultimately reaching 45,000 tonnes per year.

U.S. DOE Grant Faces Political Uncertainty

The company received a $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in January 2025. However, this funding was placed on hold due to a presidential executive order issued by Donald Trump just days later, freezing clean energy funding programs.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding federal financing, Equinor and Standard Lithium remain committed to moving the project forward. Allison Kennedy Thurmond, Equinor’s VP of U.S. Lithium, emphasized ongoing collaboration with regulators and community stakeholders to secure a competitive royalty framework.

Direct Lithium Extraction at the Center of U.S. Supply Strategy

The Smackover project utilizes direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, which offers a lower environmental footprint compared to traditional mining. As the U.S. seeks to localize battery supply chains, DLE projects like Smackover are gaining strategic importance.

Smackover’s Phase 1 approval places it among the leading North American lithium ventures, helping diversify global supply away from China-dominated sources and aligning with broader clean energy security goals.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The Smackover Lithium Phase 1 approval highlights the regulatory momentum behind U.S. lithium projects despite political headwinds. As federal funding remains uncertain, private and state-level partnerships will play an increasingly critical role in scaling brine-based lithium production.

Lynas samarium oxide output marks another step in building separated heavy rare earth capacity

Lynas samarium oxide

outside China. Australian producer Lynas Rare Earths has achieved first production of samarium oxide at its Malaysian refinery, adding a third separated heavy rare earth material to its commercial product line.

The milestone expands Lynas’ separated heavy rare earth portfolio beyond terbium and dysprosium. The company said it is now the only commercial producer of separated samarium, terbium, and dysprosium outside China.

Lynas samarium oxide output is strategically important because heavy rare earth separation remains one of the most concentrated parts of the global critical minerals chain. China still dominates processing, refining, and separation capacity for many rare earth elements used in magnets, defense systems, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Heavy Rare Earth Expansion Moves Lynas Up the Value Chain

Lynas is using its Malaysian refinery to move beyond light rare earths and build a broader separated oxide platform. The company plans to add gadolinium, yttrium, and lutetium over the next two years.

The company may also expand into europium, holmium, ytterbium, and erbium if customer agreements justify the required investment. That approach shows how rare earth separation capacity is being shaped by offtake contracts, not only by resource availability.

Lynas samarium oxide output also improves its strategic value to customers seeking non-China supply. Samarium is used in high-performance magnet applications, including samarium-cobalt magnets, which retain magnetic strength under high temperatures and demanding operating conditions.

US and Japan Offtakes Support Rare Earth Supply Security

Lynas’ product expansion is backed by major offtake commitments from the US and Japan. The company recently signed a binding letter of intent with the US Department of Defence for a $96 million light and heavy rare earth oxide supply deal.

The company has also agreed to sell at least 50pc of its heavy rare earth output to Japan Australia Rare Earths until 2038. These agreements underline Japan’s and the US’ efforts to secure rare earth supply chains for defense, energy, electronics, and advanced industrial uses.

Pricing also supports Lynas’ expansion strategy. Japan Australia Rare Earths and the US Department of Defence have both agreed to buy Lynas’ neodymium-praseodymium oxide at a floor price of at least $110/kg. Lynas’ average realised rare earth sales price rose to A$68.40/kg in July-December 2025, from A$44.60/kg a year earlier.

Lynas produced 6,375t of rare earth oxide in July-December 2025, including 3,407t of neodymium-praseodymium oxide. Output rose by 19pc on the year despite a month of lost production caused by severe power shortages at its Western Australia operations.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Lynas samarium oxide output shows that rare earth security depends on separation capability, not just mining. The next competitive frontier will be reliable, contract-backed production of specific heavy rare earth oxides outside China.

US Critical Materials Funding Targets Recycling, Refining and DLE Technologies

DOE (the Department of Energy)

US critical materials funding is moving deeper into domestic production and refining after the Department of Energy announced up to $69 million for new technologies and processes. The notice of funding opportunity, announced on 7 April, targets critical materials including rare earth elements.

The funding is designed to help move technologies from bench-scale innovation toward commercial deployment. That focus is important because the US critical materials funding gap is often not resource identification, but the ability to scale processing, refining and recovery technologies into reliable industrial supply.

The programme covers three main areas: recycling from manufacturing and end-of-life scrap, refining of gallium, germanium and silicon, and direct lithium extraction alongside critical material recovery from volcanic-hosted geothermal systems.

Recycling and Refining Move Higher on the US Supply Chain Agenda

The first funding area targets recycling from manufacturing scrap and end-of-life scrap. This could support recovery routes for valuable metals already present in electronics, magnets, batteries, industrial components and advanced manufacturing waste streams.

The second area focuses on refining gallium, germanium and silicon. These materials are strategically important for semiconductors, optics, solar technologies, defense systems, data infrastructure and advanced electronics.

US critical materials funding for these metals reflects growing concern over concentrated supply chains. China dominates several critical material processing routes, making domestic refining capability a central issue for industrial resilience and national security.

DLE and Geothermal Systems Add New Resource Pathways

The third topic area covers direct lithium extraction and exploration of critical materials and rare earth elements from volcanic-hosted geothermal systems. This could open new pathways for lithium and mineral recovery beyond conventional mining.

Direct lithium extraction remains strategically important because it may improve recovery efficiency, reduce land use and shorten production timelines compared with traditional brine evaporation. However, commercial scalability remains the decisive test.

The DOE said the $69 million opportunity is part of several programmes totalling nearly $1 billion. These initiatives aim to advance mining, processing and manufacturing technologies across the critical materials supply chain.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The US critical materials funding programme shows that Washington is now targeting the weakest links between laboratory success and industrial supply. The key test will be whether these grants create commercial refining and recovery capacity, not only promising pilot projects.

US Critical Materials and INL Partner on Rare Earth Pilot Plant

US Critical Materials

Advancing Domestic Rare Earth Processing Capacity

US Critical Materials has joined forces with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop a pilot plant that will process rare earth elements (REEs) from Montana’s Sheep Creek deposit. The facility will handle 1–2 metric tonnes of ore per day, enabling the demonstration of advanced mineral processing and separation technologies. The partnership aims to strengthen the United States’ ability to produce critical minerals domestically, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.

INL, serving as the US Department of Energy’s primary Separation Sciences R&D hub, will provide technical expertise to optimize recovery processes. Although no operational timeline has been announced, the project marks a significant step toward establishing a vertically integrated REE supply chain within the country.

Strategic Importance of Sheep Creek’s Mineral Profile

The Sheep Creek deposit contains a high-grade mix of critical minerals, including neodymium, praseodymium, niobium, and heavy rare earths such as gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, and yttrium, along with gallium. These materials are essential for applications ranging from permanent magnets in electric vehicles and wind turbines to advanced defense systems and high-performance electronics.

By leveraging domestic feedstock, the pilot plant will support US efforts to secure stable supplies of these strategically vital resources. This aligns with national priorities to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly given the concentration of global REE processing in China.

Building a Foundation for Scaled Production

The 1–2 t/d pilot plant is designed as a proof-of-concept facility that could pave the way for commercial-scale operations. If successful, the technologies validated here could be deployed across multiple REE-rich sites in the US, further decentralizing global supply and enhancing industrial resilience.

The collaboration also signals growing federal interest in funding and partnering on projects that align with defense, energy transition, and manufacturing needs. By working with INL, US Critical Materials gains access to specialized infrastructure and expertise that could accelerate commercialization.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This partnership highlights the strategic urgency of building a domestic rare earth supply chain. By combining US Critical Materials’ high-grade feedstock with INL’s separation expertise, the pilot plant could become a model for future US-based REE production. The next challenge will be scaling capacity while ensuring cost competitiveness against established global producers.