The US Department of Energy has selected nine projects that could receive up to $162 million to recover critical minerals from mine waste, existing mining operations, and industrial feedstocks.

The program targets four main mineral groups: scandium, copper, antimony, and rare earth elements. Feedstocks range from mine tailings and abandoned copper operations to active mines and aluminum facilities.

The funding aims to move critical mineral recovery technologies closer to commercial production, with projects ranging from laboratory-stage research to pilot-scale systems.

Companies Target Mine Waste and Industrial Feedstocks

The nine selected companies are Anactisis, Still Bright, Nusano, SiTration, Thompson Creek Metals Company USA, Felix Gold, DISA Technologies, Alcoa Corporation, and Trigg Minerals.

Anactisis, Still Bright, Nusano, and SiTration will move their technologies from laboratory or bench-scale development to prototype demonstrations. Thompson Creek Metals Company USA, Felix Gold, DISA Technologies, Alcoa, and Trigg Minerals will advance existing pilot-scale technologies toward pre-commercial demonstrations.

A key feature of the program is its focus on material already available at mining and industrial sites. Old tailings, waste streams, and other feedstocks can contain minerals that previously had little economic value or that operations did not target.

The approach could shorten the path to commercial production of critical minerals by pairing new recovery technologies with existing facilities and materials.

For example, Felix Gold’s Treasure Creek project near Fairbanks, Alaska, is targeting high-grade, near-surface antimony. The company already operates a gold mine and will use resources and infrastructure at the existing operation as it develops the antimony recovery process.

Another project of note, SiTration is working on copper recovery from diluted mining waste streams. Its technology is designed for use at existing mine sites and can also recover other critical materials.

Other selected projects will examine sources including abandoned copper mines, old tailings, and aluminum facilities.

Funding Builds on Earlier DOE Programs

The latest project funding follows a DOE announcement in August 2025 proposing nearly $1 billion for projects covering US mining, processing, and manufacturing capacity across critical-mineral supply chains.

The department also announced $75 million last month for five projects focused on producing rare earth elements and other critical materials from coal and coal-based feedstocks.

The programs target minerals used in defence equipment, energy technologies, electronics, and everyday products such as smartphones, tablets, and microwaves. Expanding domestic recovery could provide additional sources of these materials while making greater use of waste and existing industrial feedstocks.

The nine projects have been selected for potential funding, but the $162 million is not yet a final payment. Each project must first complete award negotiations with the DOE. Funding amounts can change during that process, and the department can cancel negotiations or withdraw a selection before issuing funds.