President Donald Trump signed an order giving federal officials the power to block exports of critical-minerals scrap, including old batteries and other electronic waste. The move aims to keep tungsten and lithium-bearing material inside the United States for domestic recyclers rather than shipping it overseas, and to counter China's grip on materials tied to national security.
Trump signed the presidential determination on Thursday, according to two White House officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The order lets the Commerce Department write rules to stop so-called "e-waste" from being sent abroad, a practice that is common.
Funneling scrap to domestic recyclers
The administration wants to redirect that material, especially tungsten and shredded battery components known as black mass, toward recyclers inside the United States, the officials said. The U.S. currently exports nearly 33,000 metric tons of e-waste every month, much of it containing lithium and other critical minerals that can be recycled, according to data from the environmental group Basel Action Network.
U.S. recyclers have long objected to those exports. They argue that keeping the scrap onshore could help Washington better meet its minerals production goals and lessen the need for new mines, which are often unpopular in some communities.
Recyclers say they can't compete
The White House officials said the administration has fielded complaints from domestic recyclers, who say they cannot compete with overseas buyers paying above-market rates for scrap. For example, several North American recyclers have faced economic challenges in the past 18 months, including Li-Cycle and Ascend Elements, both of which filed for bankruptcy.
Other projects are moving forward. In Oklahoma, Blue Whale Materials and two other firms are building battery recycling operations.
Source: Investing.com
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