{"682329":{"#nid":"682329","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How the US Can Mine Its Own Critical Minerals \u2014 Without Digging New\u00a0Holes","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery time you use your phone, open your computer or listen to your favorite music on AirPods, you are relying on critical minerals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese materials are the tiny building blocks powering modern life. From lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite in batteries to gallium in telecommunication systems that enable constant connectivity, critical minerals act as the essential vitamins of modern technology: small in volume but vital to function.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet the U.S. depends heavily on imports \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3133\/mcs2025\u0022\u003Efor most critical materials\u003C\/a\u003E. In 2024 the U.S. imported 80% of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-are-rare-earths-crucial-elements-in-modern-technology-4-questions-answered-101364\u0022\u003Erare earth elements\u003C\/a\u003E it used, 100% of gallium and natural graphite, and 48% to 76% of lithium, nickel and cobalt, to name a few.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Wooz8XfquS4?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERising global demand, high import dependency and growing geopolitical tensions have made critical mineral supply an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/03\/immediate-measures-to-increase-american-mineral-production\/\u0022\u003Eincreasing national security concern\u003C\/a\u003E \u2212 and one of the most urgent \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china-hits-back-us-tariffs-with-rare-earth-export-controls-2025-04-04\/\u0022\u003Esupply chain challenges\u003C\/a\u003E of our time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat raises a question: Could the U.S. mine and process more critical minerals at home?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=MSQB5REAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Egeochemist\u003C\/a\u003E who leads Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/cems\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Critical Mineral Solutions\u003C\/a\u003E and an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?hl=en\u0026amp;user=kFN5-NQAAAAJ\u0026amp;view_op=list_works\u0026amp;sortby=pubdate\u0022\u003Eengineer\u003C\/a\u003E focused on energy innovation, we have been exploring the options and barriers for U.S. critical mineral production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat\u2019s Stopping Critical Minerals From Being Produced Domestically?\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet\u2019s take a look at rare earth elements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese elements are essential to modern technology, electric vehicles, energy systems and military applications. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/media\/images\/potential-uses-rare-earth-elements-found-marine-minerals\u0022\u003EFor example\u003C\/a\u003E, neodymium is critical for making the strong magnets used in computer hard discs, lasers and wind turbines. Gadolinium is vital for MRI machines, while samarium and cerium play key roles in nuclear reactors and energy systems such as solar and wind power.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite their name, rare earth elements are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/fs\/2002\/fs087-02\/\u0022\u003Eactually not rare\u003C\/a\u003E. Their concentrations in the Earth\u2019s crust are comparable to more commonly mined metals such as zinc and copper.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, rare earth elements do not often occur in easily accessible, economically viable mineral forms or high-grade deposits. As a result, identifying resources with sufficiently high concentration and large volume is crucial for enabling their economic production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center \u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022A mine and buildings with mountains in the background.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=399\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=502\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=502\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665290\/original\/file-20250501-56-j7fza1.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=502\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EMP Materials\u2019 Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility is in California near the Nevada border.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mountain_Pass_Rare_Earth_Mine_%26_Processing_Facility.jpg\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ETmy350\/Wikimedia Commons\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022license\u0022 href=\u0022http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ECC BY-SA\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. currently has only two domestic rare earth mining locations: Georgia and California.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn southeast Georgia, rare earths are being produced as a byproduct of heavy mineral sand mining, but the produced rare earth concentrates are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemours.com\/en\/news-media-center\/all-news\/press-releases\/2025\/chemours-and-energy-fuels-forming-strategic-alliance-to-create-a-domestic-supply-chain\u0022\u003Eshipped out of state and then abroad\u003C\/a\u003E for refining into the materials used in renewable energy technologies and permanent magnets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe other location is in Mountain Pass, California, where hard rock mining extracts a rare earth carbonate mineral called bastnaesite. Yet again, much of the material is sent abroad for refining. As a result, the entire supply chain \u2212 from mining to final use in products \u2212 stretches across continents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center \u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Map shows Canada and China are the largest sources of imports of critical materials.\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=369\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=369\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=369\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=464\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=464\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665692\/original\/file-20250505-62-r0fed6.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=464\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/periodicals\/mcs2025\/mcs2025.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EU.S. Geological Survey\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\u0022tc-infographic-datawrapper\u0022 style=\u0022border-width:0;\u0022 id=\u0022pQuWN\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/pQuWN\/1\/\u0022 height=\u0022400px\u0022 width=\u0022100%\u0022 scrolling=\u0022no\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeeting the U.S. demand for rare earth elements and other critical minerals from operations within the United States will require more than just opening new mines. It will require developing and scaling up new technologies, as well as building processing operations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHistorically, processing has largely taken place overseas because of the environmental impacts, energy demand and regulatory constraints.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Potential, But Long Road, to New Mines\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInvestment in exploration activity for critical minerals is rapidly increasing across the U.S.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2017 the U.S. Geological Survey launched the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative \u2212 known as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/earth-mapping-resources-initiative-earth-mri\u0022\u003EEarth MRI\u003C\/a\u003E \u2212 to identify \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/publication\/ofr20201042\u0022\u003Epotential sources\u003C\/a\u003E of critical minerals within the country.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome areas that appear promising for rare earth elements have lots of chemical weathering, in which rocks containing rare earth elements are broken down by reacting with water and air. Exploration is underway at several of these sites, including in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ramacoresources.com\/critical-minerals-rees\/\u0022\u003Elocations\u003C\/a\u003E in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/americanrareearths.com.au\/projects\/halleck-creek-wy\/\u0022\u003EWyoming\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/uscriticalmaterials.com\/sheep-creek\/\u0022\u003EMontana\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Map shows large areas with potential for critical minerals\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=378\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=378\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=378\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=475\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=475\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/665429\/original\/file-20250502-56-7q5ytz.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=475\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EA map shows focus areas for 23 mineral systems that could have critical mineral resources.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/fs\/2023\/3007\/fs20233007.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EUSGS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdentifying a resource, however, is not the same as producing it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraditional mining can take a decade or two from exploration to production and up to 29 years in the U.S., \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cdn.ihsmarkit.com\/www\/pdf\/0724\/SPGlobal_NMA_DevelopmentTimesUSinPerspective_June_2024.pdf\u0022\u003Ethe second-longest timeline in the world\u003C\/a\u003E. Although this timeline could be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mining.com\/web\/us-adds-10-more-mining-projects-to-fast-track-permitting-list\/\u0022\u003Echanging under the current administration\u003C\/a\u003E, companies might still face major uncertainties related to permitting, infrastructure development and, in some places, community opposition. Managing environmental impacts, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/occup-med.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12995-024-00433-6\u0022\u003Eair and water pollution\u003C\/a\u003E and high \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43017-022-00387-5\u0022\u003Ewater consumption and energy use\u003C\/a\u003E, can further increase cost and extend project timelines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiven that the exploration projects mentioned above are still in early stage, the U.S. needs additional, parallel efforts that can bring resources to the market at an accelerated pace.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMining the Materials We Have Already Mined\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the fastest ways to increase U.S. rare earth production may not require digging new holes in the ground \u2212 but rather returning to old ones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Atlantic coast region \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/publications\/national-map-focus-areas-potential-critical-mineral-resources-united-states\u0022\u003Estands out on the Earth MRI map\u003C\/a\u003E as a particularly promising area. What\u2019s even better is that this region has already established extensive mining activities and mature infrastructure, which allows for much faster speed to market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia has mineral sand deposits that are rich in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/centers\/gggsc\/science\/critical-mineral-resources-heavy-mineral-sands-us-atlantic-coastal-plain\u0022\u003Etitanium, zirconium, and rare earth elements\u003C\/a\u003E. Titanium and zirconium \u2212 both used in aerospace, energy and medical applications \u2212 are already mined in Florida and Georgia. In southeast Georgia, rare earth elements found with these heavy mineral sands are already being \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chemours.com\/en\/about-chemours\/global-reach\/southern-ionics-minerals\u0022\u003Erecovered as rare earth concentrates\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe width=\u0022440\u0022 height=\u0022260\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jl-svrk1sPk?wmode=transparent\u0026amp;start=0\u0022 frameborder=\u00220\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EKaolin mining near Macon, Ga.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKaolin, a white clay used in paper, paint and porcelain, has been mined in Georgia for over a century, and it can also contain rare earth elements. Georgia generates \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgiaencyclopedia.org\/articles\/business-economy\/kaolin\/\u0022\u003Emore than 8 million tons\u003C\/a\u003E of kaolin annually, making it the leading U.S. producer and a large exporter. This also comes with millions of tons of mining and processing residues, or what\u2019s known as tailings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecent \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chemgeo.2024.122151\u0022\u003Eresearch studies\u003C\/a\u003E suggest that there is significant potential for extracting \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s42860-023-00235-7\u0022\u003Erare earth elements in the tailings\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe tailings are already mined and sitting on the surface. There is no need to drill or blast. That means existing infrastructure, faster timelines and lower costs and than new mining operations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnological innovations, such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jece.2023.110413\u0022\u003Ebioleaching\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cej.2025.162661\u0022\u003Eligand-based extraction and separation\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.isci.2021.102374\u0022\u003Eelectrochemical separation\u003C\/a\u003E, are now making mining these legacy wastes possible. New processing facilities could be built near existing kaolin or heavy mineral sand operations or former mine sites, bringing materials to market in a few years rather than decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Future of Waste Mining\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis approach is part of a broader strategy known as \u201cwaste mining,\u201d \u201curban mining\u201d or \u201cmining the anthropogenic cycle.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt involves the recovery of critical minerals from existing waste streams such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.geosociety.org\/GSA\/GSA\/GSAToday\/archive\/34\/5\/contents.aspx\u0022\u003Emine tailings\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.est.2c09273\u0022\u003Ecoal ash\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssusresmgt.3c00026\u0022\u003Eindustrial byproducts\u003C\/a\u003E. It is also part of building a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org\/topics\/circular-economy-introduction\/overview\u0022\u003Ecircular economy\u003C\/a\u003E, where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe U.S. has the potential to catalyze new domestic supply chains for materials essential to national security and technology. Waste mining and recycling are critical pieces to ensure the long-term sustainability of these supply chains.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/252609\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-us-can-mine-its-own-critical-minerals-without-digging-new-holes-252609\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEvery time you use your phone, open your computer or listen to your favorite music on AirPods, you are relying on critical minerals.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Every time you use your phone, open your computer or listen to your favorite music on AirPods, you are relying on critical minerals."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-05-06 13:09:51","changed_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:58:57","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677059":{"id":"677059","type":"image","title":"Piles of rare earth oxides praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium and gadolinium. Peggy Greb\/USDA-ARS","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPiles of rare earth oxides praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium and gadolinium. Peggy Greb\/USDA-ARS\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1747055486","gmt_created":"2025-05-12 13:11:26","changed":"1747055486","gmt_changed":"2025-05-12 13:11:26","alt":"Piles of rare earth oxides praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium and gadolinium. Peggy Greb\/USDA-ARS","file":{"fid":"260922","name":"file-20250502-68-227u3q.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/12\/file-20250502-68-227u3q.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/12\/file-20250502-68-227u3q.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":302711,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/12\/file-20250502-68-227u3q.jpg?itok=-pzKYg1o"}}},"media_ids":["677059"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/how-the-us-can-mine-its-own-critical-minerals-without-digging-new-holes-252609","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/yuanzhi-tang-2349353\u0022\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor of Biogeochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/scott-mcwhorter-2349365\u0022\u003EScott McWhorter\u003C\/a\u003E, Distinguished Fellow in the Strategic Energy Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}