Materia-USA Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Contract for Recovery of Rare Earths & Critical Minerals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Yechezkel “Zeke” Moskowitz
E: Zeke@materiausa.com
Materia Partners Include Penn State University; Project Will Target Critical Mineral Recoveries from Coal Byproducts
Inwood, NY (September 21, 2020) – Materia-USA, a development incubator for critical mineral projects in the United States, announced today that the company has been awarded a contract with the National Energy Technology Lab under the U.S. Department of Energy for a two-phase project to recover rare earths and critical minerals from an unconventional feedstock, in this case, coal measure underclays in central Pennsylvania. Work will commence on Oct. 1, 2020.
The first phase of the DOE work will focus on Materia’s conceptual design for unconventional recovery of rare earths and other critical minerals through coal-based resources. An Option exists for a second phase of work that, if executed, incorporates a feasibility study to determine the economic benefits of the concept, in addition to the environmental impact of the design.
Materia is partnering with Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, H22OS Consulting of Venetia, Pennsylvania, and Larson Enterprises of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania to execute the project.
“This is a great first step, not just for our company, but for our country, as well,” said Materia CEO, Zeke Moskowitz. “The fact that the government is taking an active role turning to companies like ours will be the future of not only cleaning up environmental problems, but finding a way to use the critical materials found in this waste to build the technology of the future, all while making our country less dependent on countries that would prefer America at a disadvantage.”
“Penn State is excited to be partnering with Materia to advance the science and technology of extraction of critical minerals from Pennsylvania coal measures,” said Lee Kump, John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. “We see great opportunity ahead for the University, Commonwealth and nation to establish a domestic supply of rare-earth and other critical elements like lithium to support high-tech manufacturing of cell phones, wind turbines, solar cells, batteries and defense technologies.”
Materia is also pleased to have the support of local lawmakers.
“I was proud to support Materia-USA’s application to recover rare earth elements and critical minerals from Pennsylvania’s coal fields,” said Congressman Reschenthaler (PA-14). “By working to establish a reliable domestic supply of these resources through projects like this, we can support good-paying jobs and economic opportunities in our communities, eliminate significant sources of pollution such as acid mine drainage, and end our nation’s dependence on China and other foreign countries. Thank you to the Trump Administration for their commitment to ensuring a critical mineral supply chain in the United States.”
“Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of rare earth minerals which provides for an expanse of technological innovation and strengthens our independence from other countries that do not always have our best interests at heart,” said Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15). “This contract announcement is an important step towards a stronger supply chain and I am really pleased it’s happening right here in Clearfield County.”
About Materia-USA Materia USA is a company that is actively seeking out opportunities that accelerate and develop critical mineral projects in the United States. Fueled by the desire to source next generation materials for an America-centered supply chain via advanced methods of recovery, Materia is positioned to secure and utilize non-traditional sources for much needed American made resources. All in all, Materia sees itself as a company that is at the tip of the spear in the rebuilding efforts of American critical material and Rare Earth mineral supply chains that will renew the American manufacturing dream.
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For original press release please see attached PDF