Latest RFI for unconventional sources and possible desire for critical minerals "matchmaking."

Much like its requests for information on clean energy projects, lithium recycling, and critical minerals, the United States Department of Energy is once again seeking input, this time to further solidify domestic critical minerals supply through the use of unconventional and secondary sources.

Aimed at supporting its ongoing Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, the latest request for information hopes to engage in a regional assessment and production of rare earth elements, critical minerals and novel high-value, nonfuel carbon-based products from unconventional and secondary feedstocks such as coal, coal byproducts, and effluent waters from oil and natural gas development and production.

Although CORE-CM initially focused on using coal and coal byproducts as feedstocks from traditional coal-producing basins, DOE has expanded its interests in obtaining critical minerals and materials from wherever they could possibly be obtained domestically.

Kicking off its information requests as early as February 2022, DOE has continued to shell out possible funding for further advances in many of the energy transition sectors.

From a $140 million REE separation facility to a $750 million advanced energy and recycling program, then a $335 million lithium-ion recycling program to $675 million for critical materials research and commercialization, DOE has been taking advantage of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to rekindle industry in America, and it hopes to do so by capitalizing on clean energy.

The latest RFI is to solicit feedback from industry, investors, developers, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, tribal governments, potentially impacted communities, and other stakeholders for input on determining the best approach for the CORE-CM program to understand the full potential for all unconventional and secondary feedstocks.

The assessment and potential recovery of critical minerals from unconventional and secondary sources may require access to or the development of sites that were previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may be contaminated with hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.

Such sites may present environmental and financial hurdles, as well as technical challenges, for their current owners; thus, the RFI seeks input regarding challenges associated with redevelopment of these sites.

The federal agency says the success of the CORE-CM Initiative will rely on the formation of partnerships between potential awardees and commercial industries. As such, the RFI asks if a critical minerals "matchmaking" or marketplace system should be established to help connect appropriate commercial industries with viable economic resources to expedite the building of a strong domestic critical minerals supply chain.

With a marketplace system, companies could then describe their needs for critical minerals, and local or regional groups could respond by describing their material and infrastructure resources.

DOE notes that this latest RFI is not a funding opportunity announcement but more of a tentative assessment of the desire for a centralized system for streamlining raw material to manufacturer – old or new.