Technology Advancement
Current Work
EMRTAI's first round of technology assessments is taking place during Fall 2025. We are working with technology developers to demonstrate critical minerals recovery from mining influenced water and characterize critical minerals in chat, tailings, and waste rock using field portable x-ray fluorescence.
Technologies for recovering rare earth elements (REEs), and other metals such as cobalt, manganese, nickel, and copper from mining-influenced water are undergoing initial testing with feedstocks from across the western U.S. Technology assessments conducted at the bench-scale include an optimization phase followed by a demonstration phase.
The image shows the mine portal discharge stream at Nelson Tunnel in Creede, Colorado. This discharge flows into West Willow Creek. Aqueous samples were taken from this stream for baseline characterization of the site. Several barrels of mining influenced water will be collected from this stream for a Round 1 Technology Assessment.
Field portable x-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) can be used to screen solid mining and mineral processing waste to inform decision-making surrounding the potential for incorporating critical minerals recovery during site remediation. This technology assessment will demonstrate capabilities of FPXRF units, along with evaluating how sample preparation and site calibration can enhance the accuracy of results.
The image shows samples collected from the primary waste rock dump at the Formosa Mine site in Eugene, Oregon. Samples were taken for baseline characterization of the site for EMRTAI technology assessments.
Interested in working with us?
Submit an application for a technology assessment
Serve on a technical panel
Key elements of the framework:
Rigorous QAQC process to produce credible data
Technology assessments that use real mine waste (mining influenced water, chat, waste rock, tailings, contaminated soils/sediments) as feedstocks.
Consistent performance metrics and operational considerations within categories of technologies to align the data produced with user needs during decision-making
Peer review of technology assessment protocols and reports by Technical Panels to promote scientific rigor, data usability, and alignment with remedial outcomes
Communication of results in diverse formats to support stakeholders in understanding the potential use and implementation of technologies to reduce site contamination and recover valuable products.
Technology Assessment Framework
Note, EMRTAI does not fund basic research on technology development. EMRTAI funds technology assessments in coordination with technology developers and vendors, including the production of technology assessment reports.