The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is asking American industry for help with critical minerals. It issued an expression of interest (EOI) to transfer surplus materials from five cleanup sites nationwide. These materials resulted from past nuclear weapons production and energy research.
The DOE said these materials are no longer needed for planned activities. They could be valuable to private industry, including advanced technology, manufacturing, alternative energy, and national defense. Specific materials include aluminum, copper, platinum, silver, tungsten, and vanadium.
Rob Seifert, a DOE director, stated these surplus materials could create jobs and strengthen the U.S. industrial base. He called the EOI the first step in a conversation with the private sector. The initiative aims to boost domestic supply chains and energy independence.
Cleanup sites in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Nevada, and Utah are part of the initiative. The DOE will host a virtual Industry Day on September 30 to explain the EOI process. Interested parties must provide their own equipment and expertise for material relocation or extraction.
