{"id":18982,"date":"2025-09-15T16:02:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T15:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visegradpost.com\/?p=18982"},"modified":"2025-09-14T22:38:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T21:38:31","slug":"america-throws-away-trillions-in-critical-minerals-us-mines-discard-cobalt-and-lithium-while-begging-china-for-battery-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visegradpost.com\/en\/2025\/09\/15\/america-throws-away-trillions-in-critical-minerals-us-mines-discard-cobalt-and-lithium-while-begging-china-for-battery-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"“America Throws Away Trillions in Critical Minerals”: US Mines Discard Cobalt and Lithium While Begging China for Battery Materials"},"content":{"rendered":"
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IN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • \ud83d\udd0d U.S. mines discard valuable critical minerals<\/strong>, highlighting untapped resources for economic growth.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\udcca Researchers emphasize the potential of small-scale recovery<\/strong> to meet domestic demand and reduce waste.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\udca1 Policy reforms and technological advancements are needed to make mineral recovery economically viable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83c\udf31 Enhanced recovery offers environmental benefits by reducing mine waste<\/strong> and promoting sustainability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    The United States is sitting on a wealth of critical minerals that are currently being discarded, according to a recent study published in the journal Science. These minerals, essential for energy, defense, and technology sectors, are present in existing mines but are not being effectively recovered. Researchers, led by Elizabeth Holley from the Colorado School of Mines, highlight that small-scale recovery efforts could satisfy domestic demand and significantly reduce waste. This revelation opens up new avenues for economic growth and environmental sustainability, provided the right policies and technological advancements are implemented to facilitate mineral recovery.<\/p>\n

    Understanding the Current Waste of Critical Minerals<\/h2>\n

    The United States has the capability to produce all the critical minerals it needs, but the challenge lies in recovery. As Elizabeth Holley, an associate professor at the Colorado School of Mines, explains, these resources are often discarded as waste in the mining processes for other materials like gold and zinc. The study emphasizes the importance of recovering minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, which are currently lost in waste streams.<\/p>\n

    Holley likens the recovery process to extracting salt from bread dough, illustrating the complexity involved. She stresses the need for more research, development, and appropriate policy measures to make this recovery economically viable. Without these steps, the U.S. will continue to lose valuable resources that could otherwise be used to bolster its technological and defense capabilities.<\/p>\n

    \u00ab\u00a0She Defied Death\u00a0\u00bb: Yellowstone Grizzly Mother With Five Cubs Ignites Explosive Clash Over Wildlife Protection and Human Survival<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n