The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has initiated “decisive” steps to recover critical minerals from mine waste, which is vital for the country’s economic strength, national defence and energy future.
Under the guidance of DOI Secretary Doug Burgum, this move aligns with President Trump’s executive order to increase US mineral production to secure domestic supply chains and reduce foreign reliance.
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It prioritises the recovery of uranium and other minerals from abandoned mines and directs the US Geological Survey (USGS) to map and inventory federal mine waste sites.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Lands and Minerals Adam Suess said: “By streamlining regulations for extracting critical minerals from mine waste, we are unleashing the full potential of America’s mineral resources to bolster national security and economic growth.
“This proactive approach will attract private investment, support environmental reclamation and pave the way for mineral independence.”
The secretary’s order aims to streamline federal regulations for critical mineral recovery from mine waste and update guidance for federal funding eligibility.
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By GlobalDataRecent research by the USGS and state geological surveys has identified strategic minerals such as zinc, germanium, tellurium and rare earth elements in both legacy and ongoing mining operations.
For example, legacy lead and zinc mining at Tar Creek near Picher, Oklahoma, has left behind waste rich in zinc and germanium, minerals that the US typically imports.
In Utah’s Bingham Canyon, significant amounts of tellurium, essential for defence technologies, can be extracted from copper mining tailings.
The Coeur d’Alene silver mining site in Idaho contains approximately $2.5bn worth of precious minerals including antimony and arsenic.
Additionally, rare earth elements, crucial for advanced technologies, have been found in clay within coal deposits across the Appalachian and Illinois basins.
The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative’s improved geological mapping is uncovering new mineral deposits across Appalachia and the Midwest, supporting local economies and meeting national mineral demands.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron said: “Recovering critical minerals from mine waste is integral to strengthening America’s mineral independence while promoting economic growth and national security.
“The collaboration between USGS and state geological surveys exemplifies how science-driven innovation can transform environmental challenges into strategic resources that bolster our industries and defence capabilities.”
