US Mines Waste Lithium, Cobalt for 10M EVs Annually

US Mines Might Be Discarding Valuable Minerals

New research suggests that the United States may be unknowingly discarding critical minerals required for its energy, defense, and technology sectors. This study, published in the scientific journal Science, reveals that these minerals – including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements – are being extracted but then discarded as waste in existing mining operations across the country. This finding could shift America’s resource securing strategies and potentially defuse geopolitical tensions tied to resource dependency.

An Abundance of Discarded Lithium and Other Minerals

The study, spearheaded by experts from the Colorado School of Mines and shared through Phys.org, estimates the extent of this wastage. Annually, the U.S. mines discard enough lithium to power 10 million electric vehicles. There are also significant amounts of other vital materials being wasted, even as demand for these minerals is skyrocketing due to the transition towards renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

Recovering Precious Minerals from Waste Streams

Industry professionals have long suspected these inefficiencies in mineral extraction, but this analysis provides concrete evidence. By investigating the waste streams from traditional coal and copper mining sites, the study discloses that these minerals could be economically captured using recovery technologies. For instance, tailings from copper mines often contain cobalt – a crucial component in batteries – which is currently being discarded rather than processed.

Additional insights from Grist underscore that the U.S. is also discarding massive quantities of manganese and other elements vital for steel production and electronics. Recycling these waste streams could significantly decrease dependence on imports from China, a nation that holds the majority of the global refining capacity for many of these minerals, as per a Council on Foreign Relations overview.

Implications for Policy and Technology

The findings of this research align with recent government initiatives. An example is the Department of the Interior’s effort to recover critical minerals from mine waste, which was announced in July 2025. As detailed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s website, the plan is to incorporate advanced separation techniques into existing operations, potentially unlocking billions in value.

Nonetheless, challenges persist. Mining companies need to invest in new processing infrastructure, and regulatory roadblocks could slow down the adoption process. Mining Technology reports that this initiative aims to meet national defense needs by sourcing from domestic reserves, thus reducing vulnerabilities caused by global supply chain disruptions.

International Implications

This domestic potential stands in stark contrast with U.S. efforts to secure minerals overseas, such as agreements in Africa and Ukraine, as reported by Reuters. Shifting the focus inward could reduce China’s influence in the critical minerals market, where Beijing controls a significant portion of the processing.

Experts suggest that waste recovery could be encouraged through tax credits or subsidies, similar to those in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Science analysis emphasizes that with targeted investments, the U.S. could achieve self-sufficiency in critical minerals in a matter of years, transforming waste into a strategic resource.

The Future of the Mining Industry

The findings of this study deliver a crystal-clear message to mining executives and policymakers: innovation in extraction isn’t just about digging deeper; it’s about digging smarter. Companies, like those featured in Mother Jones, are already running pilot projects to extract lithium from coal ash, showcasing the feasibility.

Ultimately, this paradigm shift could redefine the mining sector by promoting sustainability and enhancing security. With the increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable technology, capitalizing on mine waste presents a pragmatic way forward, ensuring the U.S. doesn’t continue discarding its future.