In modern life, thousands of products (ranging from mobile phones to missiles, or fertilizer even) depend on a few critical minerals such as copper, cerium, rare earth elements and potash. Governments around the world consider these essential to their economy and national security, and their supply chains can be disrupted by geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, or trade restrictions.
For instance, in 2026, the U.S. critical minerals list include 60 minerals that companies in defense, agriculture, power, mining, and other industry sectors, need to get their jobs done. But spiking demand, restricted access, and rising prices can make it challenging to get these minerals
This is why experts at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) are researching other ways to make, mine for, or recycle these minerals. This article looks at three ways to get more of these precious minerals:
- How To Mine Metals From Seawater, Industrial Waste, and More
- An Economic Way To Recycle Graphite
- Supply Chain Recipes To Cut Costs and Energy
Source: Clean Technica: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Given the Chinese near monopoly on Rare Earths and the resulting global supply constraints there is a big rush to secure supplies of critical minerals, and this is taking place all over the globe. Any way to improve access is vitally important. PSR
