Critical Mineral Policy Working Group Meeting #4: Recycling, Domestic Recovery & Non-Traditional Sources
This afternoon, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's Critical Minerals Policy Working Group, led by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), held its fourth meeting to explore how recycling, domestic recovery, and non-traditional sources can strengthen the sustainability and resilience of critical mineral supplies vital to national industries and technologies. The discussion covered recent advancements in recycling technologies, the economic incentives to promote domestic recovery, and alternative sources of critical minerals.
Members heard from experts including Mr. Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO of Cyclic Materials, Gerard Barron, Chief Executive Officer of The Metals Company, and Kijune Kim, Executive Vice President, Korea Zinc.
Watch highlights from the meeting below.
Rep. Rob Wittman opens the working group:
“Xi Jinping said 25 years ago that China was going to dominate the semiconductor market and they set out to do that… to set up mines around the world, to coerce others into their universe, to use forced labor.”
Click HERE for Rep. Wittman's opening remarks as prepared for delivery.
Rep. Kathy Castor on battery recyclying:
“Some of the answers on batteries we don’t have right now… We want to be able to ensure we have a circular economy where we are able to recycle and reuse those.”
Mr. Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO of Cyclic Materials:
“Less than 1 percent of rare-earths are recycled today, increasing the pressure to scale domestic mining.
All the while, the US remains dependent on China for imports.”
Gerard Barron, Chief Executive Officer of The Metals Company:
“I firmly believe that in order for the United States to outcompete China in the critical mineral space, we must invest in domestic capabilities to harvest and also refine seabed minerals.”
Kijune Kim, Executive Vice President, Korea Zinc:
“We care about our environment, however if we try to invest in any jurisdiction in the U.S., it’s really hard…
The city governments in China— they supply all the money for acquiring land, building factories, and utilities for free.”