NETL researchers are exploring shovel-less mining technologies to recover critical minerals and materials (CMMs) from the subsurface and provide U.S. manufacturers with a reliable domestic supply chain of CMMs needed to produce computers, electronics, components for energy and defense systems, and much more.

Experts from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) are collaborating with the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) on a community science campaign to identify, characterize, and process domestic sources of critical minerals (CMs), including rare earth elements (REEs), needed to ensure American energy dominance and national security.

NETL has released insights from the Critical Minerals and Materials Matchmaker (CM3) survey, an online information resource created to help connect activities across the critical minerals and materials (CMM) supply chain.

NETL brought its considerable critical minerals and materials knowledge to bear while helping to create the Critical Minerals Leadership Academy (CMLA), a program focused on building capacity and expertise in the field. The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources hosted the event, which convened graduate students and early career professionals.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $355 million for two notices of funding opportunities issued by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE) to expand domestic production of critical materials essential for advancing U.S. energy production, manufacturing, transportation and national defense. The first funding opportunity provides up to $275 million for American industrial facilities capable of producing valuable minerals from existing industrial and coal byproducts. The second provides up to $80 million to establish Mine of the Future proving grounds for real-world testing of next-generation mining technologies.

An NETL-developed tool to measure the impact of energy production on water quality and model treatment options has been upgraded with data from Marcellus Shale hydraulic fracturing operations in Pennsylvania, providing communities in the Keystone State with information on a new potential revenue source.

NETL researchers developed a new process for extracting economically and strategically vital rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals (CM) from America’s coal fly ash at high quantities and offers several advantages over other available technologies.

Researchers have initiated operations at a pilot-scale production facility to scale up technology developed by NETL to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from coal fly ash produced by power plants and transform a waste byproduct into a valuable feedstock.

The NETL-led Critical Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC) kicked off its five-year mission last year to develop a national capability for establishing new domestic critical minerals and materials (CMM) supply chains, from extraction to manufacturing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced $45 million in federal funding for six projects to create regional consortia to accelerate the development of critical mineral and materials supply chains including novel nonfuel carbon-based products from secondary and unconventional feedstocks. Realizing the value of secondary and unconventional feedstocks, such as coal and coal by-products, effluent waters from oil and gas development, and acid mine drainage will enable the United States to rebuild domestic supply chains for critical minerals and materials. By focusing on abundant American secondary and unconventional sources, these investments will support dependable and enduring supplies for American manufacturing and production of technologies essential to clean energy and our nation’s defense.