SunCast 842: Out-Innovating China in Critical Minerals: ReElement’s Bold U.S. Strategy
Aug 7, 2025
Mark LaVerghetta, co-founder of ReElement Technologies, is reshaping the coal industry by innovatively extracting critical minerals from coal waste more efficiently and sustainably than China. He discusses how his company is transforming environmental liabilities into valuable resources, highlighting the importance of metallurgical coal in the clean energy economy. They delve into the U.S. effort to onshore mineral refining and tackle supply chain challenges, emphasizing the critical role of these minerals in modern technology and national security.
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China's Rare Earth Refining Monopoly
- China controls over 90% of rare earth elements refining, creating a supply chain choke point.
- The problem lies not in mining but in midstream refining, allowing China to dominate advanced technology inputs.
Innovation Beats Replication
- China's cheaper critical mineral production relies on harsh solvents and low environmental standards.
- ReElement innovates with a cleaner, lower-cost technology that avoids toxic waste, enabling US competitiveness.
Chromatography Enables Scalable Refining
- ReElement focuses on refining critical minerals from diverse materials to create manufacturing-grade outputs.
- Their chromatography technology offers a scalable, economically viable alternative to traditional solvent extraction.
