FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUGHTON, MI (Sept 20, 2024) – Revex Technologies, a next-generation critical mineral processing company, is pleased to announce that they have been selected for award negotiations up to $145 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC). This grant will be used to support their REV Nickel Project, a partnership with Eagle Mine to produce green nickel concentrate and other valuable U.S.-sourced critical minerals from metal-bearing waste streams, including discarded mine tailings and spent lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Revex and partners have also committed to benefit organizations and communities in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan through a comprehensive community benefits plan.
Revex’s proprietary mineral processing solutions, and REV Nickel project will strengthen the domestic critical mineral supply chain, produce increased quantities of nickel, which is essential in clean energy transition, and provide good-paying clean-tech jobs. Revex Technologies, the prime recipient, is a U.S. corporation with core competencies in developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies for mineral processing, forging best-in-class partnerships, and ensuring seamless project execution. Eagle Mine, the sub-recipient, is owned and operated by Lundin Mining of Canada and is the only operating nickel mine in the United States. The project is expected to have its first commercial intermediate nickel product within 20 months of funding and will be led by Principal Investigator Michael Cleveland, PE. Rev Nickel will provide enough domestic nickel for approximately half a million EV batteries annually.
“This grant is essential for Revex to execute their plans, directly supporting our mission to innovate and lead in the production of critical materials for the battery market”, says John Rockwell, CEO of Revex. “With this funding, we can accelerate our efforts to develop sustainable solutions, enhance capabilities with our sub-recipient, and ultimately contribute to the broader goal of a cleaner, more efficient energy future.”
The REV Nickel project plans to build upon an existing asset for critical mineral processing at Eagle Mine (Humboldt Mill) by creating a region-wide hub for domestic critical mineral production. Revex plans to reclaim and reprocess 10+ years of tailings from the subaqueous tailings storage facility and new tailings generated at the Humboldt Mill, and from additional development and exploration within the Upper Peninsula and Upper Midwest region.
Revex and Eagle Mine’s joint strategy for REV Nickel is to construct and operate three related facilities in Marquette County, Michigan. First, the Eagle Paste Facility will utilize flotation technology to process mine wastes containing residual nickel to produce paste backfill and nickel iron sulfide. Second, the reClaim facility will utilize commercial fluidized bed roasting and reduction technology to produce Green Nickel Concentrate from the Paste Facility output. And third, the reCover facility will utilize commercial grinding and mechanical separation technologies to extract cobalt, nickel, and lithium from spent LIB batteries.
Prior to receiving this grant, Revex Technologies sought MTEC SmartZone guidance and expertise to help support their efforts. Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZone Incubators in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and a mission to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“The impact Revex Technologies will have on sustainable reshoring and responsible processing of critical metals needed for the nation’s clean energy transition will be enormous,” says David Rowe, CEO of MTEC SmartZone. “MTEC SmartZone worked diligently for over two years to help establish Revex Technologies including an initial $8.1M Department of Energy grant for Michigan Tech University to further research technology, and countless hours of work in support of their Department of Energy and State of Michigan grant applications.”
The project is expected to add 115 new clean tech jobs and support 360 construction jobs over the 2-year construction period. Bringing economic and social equity to a region which contains Justice 40, 48C energy community and disadvantaged qualifying census tracts. It will establish material training, apprenticeship programs, and upskilling of the workforce in this location. Eagle Mine and Revex Technologies have been working with the Upper Peninsula Construction Council (UPCC) and the Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council (MBCTC) to ensure local labor is used during construction. The REV Nickel project will enhance the existing Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP), a partnership initiative for environmental justice between Eagle Mine, Superior Watershed Partnership, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and Community Foundation of Marquette County. It will be a vital economic anchor in a rural and historically mining-based economy and is committed to creating an impactful and durable community and stakeholders.
“I am incredibly excited about this opportunity and the positive impact it will have in Michigan, on our communities, and the processing of critical materials needed for the domestic production of batteries,” says John Rockwell. “This project represents a significant step forward in advancing innovative, sustainable technologies and securing a domestic supply chain for these critical minerals. By bringing together our expertise and innovative solutions, we are not only driving economic growth but also contributing to Michigan’s leadership in EVs, batteries, and energy transition, and a more resilient future for America. This funding is an important milestone for Revex but there remains much more work to accomplish.”
For more information about Revex Technologies and their REV Nickel project, please visit their website at: www.RevexTech.com.
To see a full list of the selected projects from the DOE click here
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About REVEX TECHNOLOGIES
REVEX will be a leader in sustainable processing and production of green nickel concentrate and other critical minerals essential for clean energy transition. By reclaiming and recycling various waste feedstocks including spent lithium-ion batteries, manufacturing scrap, and discarded mine tailings REVEX is poised to address the increasing demand for domestic supply of battery-quality nickel, lithium, and cobalt. Revex is vertically integrating upstream extraction, midstream processing and downstream recycling to advance circular solutions, while also benefiting communities. Revex is reshaping the critical minerals economy!
To learn more, visit us at www.revextech.com.
About DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains
MESC plays a critical and unique role in catalyzing investments in America’s energy future to support the re-shoring, skilling, and scaling of U.S. manufacturing across energy supply chains. MESC serves as the frontline of clean energy deployment and accelerates America’s transition to a resilient, equitable energy future through data-driven investments in manufacturing capacity and workforce development. Learn more at: www.energy.gov/mesc or LinkedIn.