The US Energy Department has allocated $134 million to enhance projects focused on recovering rare earth elements.

The U.S. Energy Department is allocating up to $134 million for projects focused on recovering and refining rare earth elements from mine tailings and waste materials, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals. This initiative, linked to previous funding announcements totaling nearly $1 billion, aims to bolster domestic supply chains for essential materials used in defense and manufacturing. The Rare Earth Demonstration Facility program will support full-scale extraction and separation facilities in the U.S., crucial for economic and national security.