{
  "id": 2185460,
  "title": "US backs critical mineral projects with $500m",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/us-backs-critical-mineral-projects-with-500m",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T17:05:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/08/20/us-backs-critical-mineral-projects-with-500m/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States Department of Energy has announced $500 million in grants for seven companies involved in critical mineral projects, as part of efforts to bolster the country's domestic supply chain. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted that the US has long relied on foreign sources for essential materials crucial to its economy, energy security, and national security.\n\nUtah-based Lilac Solutions will receive $100 million to construct and operate a lithium extraction and refining plant near the Great Salt Lake, targeting a yearly production capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes upon completion in 2028. The Energy Department also awarded $100 million to Jervois for building a cobalt refinery, with cobalt playing a crucial role in weaponry, batteries, and electronics production.\n\nAdditionally, $100 million is allocated to Nth Cycle for processing black mass, a battery-metal scrap previously blocked from export. Princeton NuEnergy will get $50 million to enhance battery-grade cathode materials, while Arcanum Venture and Elevated Materials will produce battery-grade ethylene carbonate and materials for fast-charging batteries, respectively. Coreshell Technologies will receive funding for a US gigafactory focused on silicon-anode battery production.\n\nThese grants follow a separate $162 million investment announced by the critical minerals and energy innovation agency for recovering scandium, copper, antimony, rare earth elements, and other materials. The administration aims to encourage private sector investment in critical mineral projects, viewing them as vital to energy and national security. The White House has also engaged in diplomatic initiatives such as the Pax Silica initiative and the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement.\n\nTrump's administration has enlisted private sector investment in critical minerals and rare earths due to China's heavy export restrictions in the global supply chain. Earlier this month, the administration announced a $3 billion mining project investment, focusing on scandium, copper, graphite, tantalum, and other materials essential for advanced technology and defense systems. The Secretary emphasized the administration's commitment to \"putting our miners back to work and reclaiming America's rightful place as the minerals superpower of the world.\"",
  "summary": "The US Energy Department announced on Thursday that it is backing seven critical minerals companies with $500 million in grants, the latest in a series of investments as President Donald Trump's administration looks to strengthen the country's domestic supply chain. The latest awards will go to firms that are building lithium, cobalt and other minerals projects to support battery materials…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "US backs critical mineral projects with $500m",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/us-backs-critical-mineral-projects-with-500m-2186900",
        "published": "2026-08-20T17:05:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}