Innovation in Critical Mineral Mining and Processing Must Be a National Priority
CHRIS LOWE
CEO, Nusano
To control our own destiny, the United States needs nothing short of a Declaration of Critical Minerals Independence. Government, private industry and communities must work together to accelerate innovation and reclaim leadership in the global mineral race.
America is at a crossroads. The minerals needed to operate modern technology, meet the need for growing energy demand, and defend our nation, are now at the heart of a global competition. And we start this race from behind.
Critical minerals are the backbone of everything from computer chips and energy systems to smartphones and medical devices. These include names you may remember from high school science class: cesium, gadolinium, gallium, germanium and rubidium. Yet without them, technologies that sustain modern life would come to a standstill. Ensuring secure, reliable access to these resources is not just an economic issue; it is a matter of national security and – yes – modern convenience.
Even if you consider yourself apolitical, critical mineral practices and supply chains affect you. The computer or mobile device you are reading these words on is chock full of minerals. By one account, an iPhone contains about 30 chemical elements integral to everything from the colors on the display to the sound from the speakers (For more: CNET, The Metals Inside Your iPhone Are More Precious Than You Thought: Here’s Why).
U.S. Import Reliance
The United States government defines critical minerals as non-fuel mineral resources that are not only essential to the nation’s economy and national security, but also at risk of supply disruptions. (For more see: U.S. Geological Survey, What Are Critical Minerals?)
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “…the United States was 100% net import reliant for 12 of the 50 critical minerals on the [U.S. government’s] 2022 critical minerals list and more than 50% net import reliant for an additional 29. In 2023, China was the leading producer for 29 of the 50 critical minerals on the 2022 critical minerals list.”
Recent global events have exposed the fragility and interconnectedness of our supply networks. In the aftermath of China’s recent expanded export controls in October (Reuters: China expands rare earths restrictions, targets defense and chips users), Goldman Sachs projected a rare earths supply disruption of just 10% could cut global output by $150 billion (Reuters: Goldman Sachs flags risk of disruption in supply of rare earths, key minerals).
Today, nearly 70% of the world’s rare earth minerals are mined in China, and a staggering 90% of all processing occurs there too (Source: AP). This concentration of control gives China immense leverage over the global supply chain and poses a direct threat to America’s technological edge and energy independence. Should geopolitical tensions escalate or trade disruptions occur, the United States could find itself dangerously exposed.
The need for new solutions
Essential as they are to modern life, how we acquire and process critical minerals has remained largely unchanged for decades. Traditional mining and refining remains slow, energy-intensive and environmentally damaging.
At Nusano, we believe there is a better way. Our proprietary mass separation processes eliminate multiple time-consuming, hazardous and inefficient steps of existing minerals mining and separation, paving the way for sustainable, high-efficiency production of urgently needed resources. Importantly, this technology is modular, scalable and environmentally responsible.
Innovating Our Way to a Brighter, More Secure Future
To control our own destiny, the United States needs nothing short of a Declaration of Critical Minerals Independence. Government, private industry and communities must work together to accelerate innovation and reclaim leadership in the global mineral race. This should include significant investments in advanced extraction and refining technologies, increased minerals research and development, and domestic infrastructure investments.
Nusano stands ready to work cross-functionally with all who share our vision for responsible minerals development and call upon government and industry to:
- Deploy demonstration and pilot projects across the country to evaluate new ideas and methods in real-world settings.
- Integrate proven separation technology into existing workflows to begin the transition to environmentally responsible, high throughput processing.
- Build resilient supply chains, anchored by domestic minerals production and job creation.
America’s strength has always been our ability to innovate in the face of challenge. By prioritizing innovation in critical minerals processing, we will safeguard our national security, achieve energy independence, and ensure the nation’s economic competitiveness for generations to come.
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