EMRTAI Expands Critical Minerals Recovery Program with Five New Tech Developers
Event summary
- EMRTAI selected five new technology developers in its third round of applications for critical minerals recovery assessments.
- The initiative has now worked with seven technology developers since its launch.
- Assessments will take place throughout summer and fall 2026, focusing on recovering critical minerals from mining-influenced water and smelter slag.
- EMRTAI expects reports from technology assessments to be available for industry decision-making later this year.
The big picture
EMRTAI's expansion reflects growing interest in technological innovation for critical minerals recovery, particularly from legacy mining sites. The initiative's focus on Superfund sites highlights the dual potential of expediting site cleanup while supporting domestic supply chains. As the number of applicants and technology types increases, the program's role in bridging the gap between research and commercial-scale deployment becomes more critical.
What we're watching
- Technology Scaling
- How the pace of advancing technologies from bench- to pilot-scale will impact the recovery of critical minerals from legacy mining sites.
- Industry Adoption
- Whether the independent, third-party assessments will drive broader industry adoption of these technologies.
- Regulatory Alignment
- The extent to which EPA-funded initiatives will align with broader U.S. supply chain strategies for critical minerals.
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