US-Based Supra to Launch Gallium and Scandium Recovery Project

[SMM Flash: US's Supra to Launch Gallium and Scandium Recovery Project] US technology company Supra Elemental Recovery has successfully raised $2 million and officially launched its proprietary reusable "sponge-like" filter cartridge technology. This technology is capable of recovering gallium and scandium from industrial by-products, mine tailings, and electronic waste. Supra stated that the raised funds will be used to advance the further development of the recovery technology, fully preparing for a commercial pilot project in 2026. Additionally, Supra is currently testing technologies to recover high-purity critical minerals from other materials, including cobalt, lithium, and some rare earth elements. Currently, due to export controls implemented by China, Western countries face constraints in terms of supply for gallium, scandium, and other rare earth elements.

The deep-sea drilling vessel "Chikyu" successfully extracted rare earth-containing mud at a depth of 6,000 meters in the waters near Minamitorishima. The project leader indicated that this initiative aims to promote diversification of rare earth sources and reduce external dependence, with commercial mining expected to commence in February 2027. However, Japanese media pointed out that deep-sea mining faces technical and economic challenges: the 6,000-meter deep-sea environment is equivalent to 550 atmospheres of pressure, posing high risks of equipment failure; mining costs are more than 10 times those of land-based rare earths, the commercialization cycle may exceed 10 years, and ecological risks are irreversible.

To protect manufacturers from supply disruptions, US President Trump is preparing to launch a critical minerals strategic reserve plan with a total investment of $12 billion. The White House confirmed on Monday the launch of "Project Vault," with $1.67 billion coming from private investment and $10 billion from loans provided by the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM). These funds will be used to purchase and stockpile minerals required by the automotive industry, high-tech enterprises, and other industrial users. This model draws on the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve approach but focuses on stockpiling materials needed for products ranging from mobile phones to jet engines, such as gallium and cobalt.