The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) has announced $500 million for seven selected projects to expand critical mineral and material processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling capacity in the US.

In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, the selected projects advance the President’s agenda to strengthen America’s domestic critical minerals and materials supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign sources, bolster national security, and advance American energy dominance.

This is the third round of funding from DOE’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programmes, which support battery materials processing, recycling, and manufacturing projects.

Earlier, the DEO announced $162 million for nine projects that will recover critical minerals, materials, and other valuable byproducts from industrial feedstocks.

The nine projects will support the recovery of a range of critical materials, including scandium, copper, antimony, and rare earth elements, at bench- and pilot-scale sites.

Critical minerals and materials are essential to American industry, energy production, and national security.

Expanding domestic capacity will help ensure the resources America needs are processed, manufactured, and recycled in the US.

“For too long, America has depended on foreign actors for critical materials essential to modern life that underpin our economy, energy security, and national security,” said US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.