Critical minerals are essential for the economy and play a vital role in various high-tech devices and renewable energy technologies.
The demand for critical minerals is expected to increase significantly in the coming years as the world transitions towards renewable energy and low-carbon technologies to achieve net-zero emissions targets.
Some of the critical minerals include rare earth elements, lithium, indium, tellurium, gallium, and platinum group elements.
These minerals are defined by their importance in a range of sectors, from energy to defense, and the potential for supply disruptions due to various factors such as geopolitical tensions, limited sources, and environmental challenges.
Aqua Metals Joins $4.99 Million DOE Grant Project to Pioneer Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chain
As part of a consortium led by Pennsylvania State University, Aqua Metals will play a crucial role in the $4.99 million initiative aimed at establishing a fully domestic supply chain for critical minerals essential for modern technologies, from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems.
Aqua Metals, Inc develops sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling technology and recently announced it’s working on the collaboration that involves a significant U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant project.
Investing in America Boost for US Critical Minerals Mining
The US is completely reliant on imports for an estimated 12 minerals it classifies as critical, with China the primary exporter of many of these – a situation that causes potential vulnerabilities in the nation’s supply chains.
Critical minerals mining and extraction activities now fall under the umbrella of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, and are eligible for funding from the US Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO), under the ‘Clean Energy Financing Program’.
Specifically, the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows the LPO to support “projects that increase the domestically produced supply of critical minerals”. This includes the “production, processing, manufacturing, recycling, and fabrication of mineral alternatives”.
