Revex is helping address domestic processing of critical minerals by
Reshoring processing and refining to the US instead of relying on foreign smelters
Reclaiming minerals and creating new byproducts from mine tailings (waste)
Recovering critical minerals from spent Li-ion batteries
Meeting or exceeding all environmental and safety requirements from our facilities
Securing resilient critical mineral supply chains is essential to our national security, economic security, and technological leadership.
Demand is outpacing supply
Growth in demand for selected minerals from clean energy technologies, 2040 relative to 2020
What makes a metal "critical"?
Critical minerals are raw materials that are essential for the economy, national security, or technological advancement but are at risk of supply disruptions due to their scarcity, geopolitical factors, or supply chain dependencies. These minerals are crucial for manufacturing high-tech products, renewable energy technologies, defense systems, and various industrial applications.
Examples include lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, nickel, and platinum group metals, which are used in the process industries, medical, batteries, electronics, electric vehicles, and clean energy infrastructure. The specific list of critical minerals can vary by country, depending on their industrial needs and supply vulnerabilities.
To establish our position as the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals, including rare earth minerals, which will create jobs and prosperity at home, strengthen supply chains for the United States and its allies, and reduce the global influence of malign and adversarial states.
Source: Unleashing American Energy - Executive Order January 20, 2025
The Result
The US is reliant on foreign import from our domestic supply of nickel (56%), cobalt (76%), and lithium (25%)
The US has critical mineral reserves and exploration to identify new reserves
The US has small identified nickel reserves (110,000 tonnes), substantial lithium reserves (630,000 tonnes), and the 10th highest global cobalt reserves (55,000 tonnes)
There is limited domestic mining
The US has one nickel mine (Michigan), one lithium mine (Nevada), and no cobalt mines
There is minimal processing capability
The US has no nickel or cobalt refineries and limited lithium processing capability
Where the US obtains critical minerals is important
Currently, 47% of US nickel imports are from non-FTA* countries, including 11% from Russia. This is expected to increase to 92% of imports coming from non-FTA countries by 2035 if nothing changes. Indonesia, the largest nickel extractor and non-FTA country, has substantial mining and processing investment ownership by the Chinese.
FTA = Free-Trade-Agreement
Nickel, in particular is a security concern
The US has only one operating nickel mine, Eagle Mine (Lundin Mining). Global Distribution of Nickel Mining (above).
A Global Effort
A Global Investment of over $100B into Critical Mineral Processing over the Next Decade
The IEA estimates global investment in critical mineral processing will need to reach $90–210 billion over 2022–2030 to enable net zero energy transition, and more than 380 new mines will be required to meet battery demand by 2035.
Solutions Highlighted by the US White House Administration
& How Revex is a Part of the Solution
Reshoring & Expanding Domestic Mineral Processing
Mining expansion alone won’t solve the US challenge to become competitive with China on critical minerals during the energy transition. Even if more minerals are mined in the US, the vast majority will have to be shipped abroad for smelting and then imported.
Revex will begin the revolution to produce carbon free nickel and sulfuric acid in the United States.
Source: Unleashing American Energy - Executive Order January 20, 2025
Support Nickel & Cobalt Recovery from Unconventional Sources
Reclamation of Mining Waste
Standard processing of mine rock in both nickel and cobalt mines leave behind minerals that cannot be recovered from current mine ore processing techniques. Reclaiming and processing this remaining mineral content is a designated priority for the current White House Administration and the Department of Energy.
Mine tailings waste resulting from many mining processes can be acid-generating and challenging to dispose of appropriately. The disposal of mine tailings is a hurdle to the development of new mines worldwide.
Revex is Turning Waste into Value
Revex partners with mining companies to process and reclaim mine tailings (waste) to recover the remaining critical minerals, refine other valuable minerals, create new byproducts, and dispose of the remaining inert waste.
Recovering Minerals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries
Recycling of Li-ion batteries is an important but only partial solution. Current recycling methods are limited by available battery supply and secondary use. The demand for battery materials will be slightly mitigated by increased recycling capability. By 2040, recycled batteries are expected to supply just 21% of cobalt, 12% of nickel, and 8% of lithium demand.
The Conclusion
For a strong & resilient domestic critical mineral supply chain, we need an integrated solution
Revex is helping grow and integrate midstream processing and upstream extraction of nickel and other critical minerals through a multi-plant ecosystem. We are going even further by integrating battery materials recovery, mine waste reclamation, and creation of new byproducts.