Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to issue nearly $1 billion in funding opportunities to advance technologies in mining, processing, and manufacturing of critical minerals and materials. These efforts aim to strengthen supply chain security essential for energy, national security, and industrial competitiveness, according to DOE Secretary Chris Wright.
The Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program is expected to release a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) of up to $50 million to support the maturation and commercial deployment of technologies. This includes processes for rare-earth magnets, refining materials such as gallium and germanium for semiconductors, and cost-effective lithium extraction methods.
The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management also plans a NOFO to provide about $250 million for U.S. industrial facilities to pilot technologies that recover mineral byproducts from current industrial processes. This initiative aims to reduce technical and financial risks by demonstrating technology at industrial scale, including coal-based industry applications.
These DOE initiatives support Executive Order directives to decrease dependence on foreign sources and enhance domestic supply chains for critical materials.