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Mining and mineral processing waste as potential feedstock for critical minerals
Currently, there are nearly 100 legacy mine or mineral processing sites on EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List, and many more abandoned mine land sites throughout the U.S. are in variable stages of remediation.
The purpose of the EMRTAI is to advance technological innovation surrounding the recovery of critical minerals from waste materials at Superfund legacy hard rock mining or metal processing sites.
Advancing EPA’s Mission to protect human health and the environment through Superfund legacy mine site remediation
Spurring innovation for technologies to characterize or recover critical minerals in mine waste
Supporting mining and remediation stakeholders by generating credible performance data for technologies
Establishing a technology assessment frameworks that supports beneficial reuse of mine waste and development of U.S. critical minerals supply chain
Engaging with diverse stakeholders to promote dialogue about critical minerals recovery during site clean-up
Many of the technology assessments conducted under the EMRTAI will take place at sites listed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priority List (NPL) and/or use waste materials from sites as feedstock.
The Initiative is slated to run from 2024-2027. The monitoring and recovery of critical minerals from mining-related waste materials can positively impact resource use efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impacts, and waste generation.
Critical minerals recovery may expedite the cleanup of legacy mine sites and support the development of a U.S. supply chain for critical minerals.
The EMRTAI is led by Battelle
Battelle is the world’s largest, independent, nonprofit applied science and technology organization. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, since its founding in 1929, Battelle applies science and technology to solve society’s most pressing needs spanning the energy, environment, infrastructure, health and life sciences, and national security industries.
Want to learn more?
Check out the following information:
The EMRTAI Program Fact Sheet, which gives an overview of the Initiative’s work