US DOE looks to industry for critical minerals and materials cleanup at legacy sites

AI desk brief

The U.S. DOE is seeking industry input on the potential transfer or recovery of surplus critical minerals and metals from five legacy cleanup sites, including silver and platinum among the listed materials. The program covers Paducah, Portsmouth, Oak Ridge, Nevada National Security Site and Moab, with site-specific quantities and locations included in the EOI; DOE will host an Industry Day on Sept. 30.

For precious metals, the immediate market impact is limited, but the initiative is relevant as a possible supply-side or secondary-materials source over time. DOE said interested parties must provide their own equipment and expertise, and responses will be evaluated on technical capability and proposed use plans.