The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles from the January 22, 2020 edition


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  • Wind turbines solar panels batteries renewable energy minerals metals U.S.

    Mines eligible for Fast 41 permitting

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jun 8, 2023

    Wind turbines, solar panels and the batteries that store the electricity these renewable energy sources generate are creating new demands for an array of minerals and metals, many of which are not mined in the United States. Recognizing that mines lie at the front end of America's expanding renewable energy supply chains, federal officials have voted to make mining projects eligible for Fast-41, a program established in 2015 to improve the timeliness, predictability, and...

  • Tesla CEO Elon Musk Gigafactory lithium-ion battery cobalt mine deal

    Tesla heads to the mines for its batteries

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 1, 2022

    Tesla Inc. needs an increasing amount of lithium, graphite, nickel and cobalt for the lithium-ion batteries that power its growing lineup of electric vehicles. With its own rapid expansion, coupled with every major automotive brand in the world adding increasing numbers of EV models to their lineups, securing sustainable and ethical supplies of the lithium, cobalt, graphite, and nickel that go into the batteries that power these zero-emission automobiles has become crucial....

  • Blockchain technology for secure mining supply chain ledger Bitcoin

    Blockchain provides mining accountability

    A.J. Roan, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 1, 2022

    Whether it is a necklace from Tiffany & Co., an Apple iPhone or a pre-ordered Tesla Cybertruck, many buyers want to know that the metals going into the products they are purchasing are sourced ethically and sustainably. Metals pass through many hands on their way from mine to consumer, which can make it hard to ensure the source of the minerals. This adds time and cost and origins tend to become convoluted and even questionable. As we evolve into the digital age, recording...

  • Texas REE project considered for Fast 41

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 1, 2022

    Texas Mineral Resources Corp. and USA Rare Earth LLC Jan. 21 announced the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council's (FPISC) decision to add mining as a sector covered under Fast-41. Short for Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, Fast-41 is a 2015 initiative to improve the timeliness, predictability, and transparency of federal environmental review and authorization process for infrastructure projects in the United States. More information on...

  • Canada rare earth element niobium lithium project Northwest Territories

    Canada boasts substantial REE resources

    Rose Ragsdale, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 1, 2022

    Rare earth elements in Canada have recaptured the spotlight now that the United States has entered a new alliance with its northern neighbor to develop robust supply chains for critical minerals needed for important manufacturing sectors, including communication technology, aerospace and defense, and clean technology. A final agreement between the two countries, reported in December, delivers on a commitment made by their leaders in June to advance joint initiatives to...

  • New wind solar photovoltaic PV renewable electricity generation U.S.

    Renewables dominate new US electricity

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 1, 2022

    More than three quarters of new electrical generation in the United States this year will come from renewable sources, according to a recent U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report. New solar and wind facilities slated to come online during 2020 are expected to generate 32 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, roughly enough electricity to power 23.2 million homes, which is 76 percent of the 44 GW of new capacity expected to be added in the U.S. this year. Another 2...