Updates in Mining
The U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal
The U.S. and Ukraine have agreed to establish a reconstruction and investment fund that grants the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical mineral and natural resource reserves, according to a White House Fact Sheet. The deal affirms the nation’s commitment to peace and prosperity in Ukraine, while granting the U.S. first choice in acquiring or designating the purchaser of natural resource projects.
IEA Report Warns of Critical Mineral Supply Chain Problems
A new IEA report warns that critical mineral supply chains are becoming more vulnerable, even though markets currently appear well supplied and prices are down. Supply is increasingly concentrated in a few countries—especially China and Indonesia—and export restrictions are spreading. At the same time, investment and exploration have slowed, raising concerns about future shortages, including a potential 30% shortfall in copper by 2035.
Finding Critical Minerals in Mine Waste
May 14th, 2025 marked the deadline by which state geological surveys could apply to compete for $5 million in cooperative agreements. The funding is aimed at finding critical minerals in above- and below-ground mine waste and is made available through Earth MRI, a partnership with state geological surveys, private companies, academia and other state and federal agencies. Read more from the USGS >>.
Met Coal a Critical Mineral
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has officially designated metallurgical coal, or met coal, as a critical mineral. Met coal is a key component in the production of steel, which is essential in building U.S. infrastructure for defense, energy, and transportation.
Velvet-Wood Uranium-Vanadium Gets Green Light
After an expedited two-week review, the U.S. Interior Department has approved the proposed Velvet-Wood uranium-vanadium project in Utah. The project is the first to be approved under the nation’s newly accelerated 14-day environmental review process. The project will help to reduce reliance on foreign imports for both the essential materials.
Updates in Fertilizer
New Report on Phosphogypsum
The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) has released its third installment of a series on phosphogypsum. From Waste to Inventory – The Business Case outlines the opportunity of phosphogypsum as a resource, advocating the material be reclassified from a waste product to a valuable resource.
Updates in Chemical
Graphene From PFAS
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method that destroys PFAS pollutants in water while producing valuable graphene. The technique uses flash Joule heating to rapidly raise the temperature of PFAS-contaminated carbon, breaking down the chemicals into harmless fluoride salts and converting the carbon into graphene. Read more from Chemical Processing >>.
A Better Way to Alumina
A new alumina refining technology developed by IB2 improves the extraction of alumina from low-grade bauxite by selectively removing silica from kaolinite without losing alumina. This process not only reduces red mud waste and caustic soda use but also converts extracted silica into valuable tobermorite for cement applications. Pilot tests have shown over 90% silica removal and more than 95% alumina recovery, with commercial rollouts planned in multiple countries. Read more from Chemical Engineering >>.
Pulling Gasoline Out of Thin Air
Aircela unveiled the first U.S. machine that produces gasoline from air using direct air capture and on-site fuel synthesis. The refrigerator-sized unit creates fossil-free fuel compatible with existing engines, offering a modular, scalable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. With support from investors like Maersk and plans for deployment this fall, Aircela’s technology marks a promising step toward decentralized, low-emission fuel production. Read more from Carbon Capture magazine >>.
Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our blog for industry updates and expert advice on bulk solids processing and handling.