The acquisition of critical minerals is essential for various industries, including electronics, medical equipment, agriculture, and more. These raw materials, such as copper, cerium, and potash, are considered vital to the economy and national security due to their potential for supply chain disruption by geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, or trade restrictions.
As a result, companies must find innovative ways to access these minerals, which can be challenging due to spiking demand, restricted access, and rising prices. To address this issue, researchers at the National Laboratory of the Rockies are exploring new methods for acquiring critical minerals.
The development of new technologies has the potential to significantly impact the global economy and national security.
