Trump administration to back US minerals projects with $500 million in grants

• Lilac Solutions, Jervois Global, and Nth Cycle each receive $100 million for lithium processing, cobalt refining, and battery recycling facilities respectively
• Jervois will build the country's only cobalt refinery in Idaho, processing material for batteries, electronics, and weapons systems
• Four additional companies receive $50 million each for battery component technologies, including cathode reprocessing and silicon anode development

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy is allocating $500 million in grants to seven companies developing domestic mineral processing, battery materials, and recycling projects, advancing the Trump administration's goal to reduce dependence on China and strengthen national security.

Key Recipients and Funding:

• Lilac Solutions receives $100 million for a lithium processing facility at Utah's Great Salt Lake, expected to produce 5,000 metric tons annually by 2028. The BMW-backed company is considered a promising source of lithium carbonate.

• Jervois Global receives $100 million to build America's only cobalt refinery in Idaho. The metal is critical for batteries, electronics, and weapons manufacturing.

• Nth Cycle receives $100 million for a battery recycling facility processing "black mass" (battery metal scrap).

• Smaller grants of $50 million each go to Princeton NuEnergy (cathode reprocessing), Arcanum Ventures (battery electrolyte chemicals), and Coreshell Technologies (silicon-based battery anodes).

Market Context:

This represents the third funding round from the Energy Department's Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing programs, following previous investments in ioneer, Standard Lithium, and Lithium Americas. The initiative gains urgency from ongoing geopolitical tensions and aims to secure domestic supply chains for minerals essential to economic and national security.

The funding aligns with recent administration actions, including blocking battery exports to support domestic recycling infrastructure. According to Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson, selected projects demonstrated "the highest return for Americans in the most-needed areas of the battery ecosystem" from hundreds of applications.