At the direction of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, the Department of the Interior is initiating efforts to recover critical minerals from mine waste. This move aligns with President Trump's Executive Order aimed at increasing American mineral production and reducing reliance on foreign sources.
"By unlocking the potential of our mine waste, we are not only recovering valuable critical minerals essential for our economy and national security, but we are also leveraging groundbreaking research from the U.S. Geological Survey that identifies promising sources of these minerals," said Secretary Doug Burgum. "This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to achieving mineral independence and ensuring that America leads the way in advanced technologies that power our future while turning environmental challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation."
The department's broader efforts include streamlining federal regulations on mineral recovery from mine waste and updating guidance to make such projects eligible for federal funding. It also prioritizes reviewing plans to recover uranium and other minerals from abandoned mines, directing the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to map and inventory federal mine waste sites.
“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,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Lands and Minerals Adam Suess. “This proactive approach will attract private investment, support environmental reclamation, and pave the way for mineral independence.”
Recent USGS research has identified promising sources of strategic minerals like zinc, germanium, tellurium, and rare earth elements in legacy mining operations. For example, Tar Creek near Picher, Oklahoma contains zinc and germanium-rich waste. In Utah’s Bingham Canyon, tellurium can be extracted from copper mining tailings.
“Recovering critical minerals from mine waste is integral to strengthening America’s mineral independence while promoting economic growth and national security,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron.
Regionally, Idaho's Coeur d'Alene silver mining site holds approximately $2.5 billion worth of precious minerals like antimony and arsenic. Rare earth elements have been detected in clay found in coal deposits across Appalachia and Illinois basins.
Improved geological mapping through the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative is uncovering new mineral deposits across Appalachia and the Midwest.
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