Enhancing and Diversifying Supply

CMI researches ways to expand the supply of rare earth and other critical resources through advancing mineral characterization and beneficiation and innovative separations and recoveries

As CMI begins its third phase of operation in 2023, the CMI focus area Enhancing and Diversifying Supply (which was known as Diversifying Supply during CMI Phase I and Phase II) will conduct research around the themes of Advancing Mineral Characterization and Beneficiation and Innovative Separations and Recoveries. For questions or more information, please contact cmidirector@ameslab.gov.

News & Highlights

All News | All Highlights

Cost breakdown comparison showing Vacuum-Induced Thermal Extraction of Lithium from α-Spodumene (VITELiS) reduces non-feedstock processing costs relative to conventional Sulfuric Acid Roasting (SAR).

Research Highlight

Lithium extraction from minerals: techno-economic analysis (TEA)

Solvent Extraction: Individual Material/Energy Burden Contribution for Selected Impact Categories

Research Highlight

Comparative LCA of germanium production from unconventional sources using chlorinated distillation and solvent extraction

Post‑baccalaureate fellow Dex Altavilla displays the HREE‑loaded organic product (left) and the LREE aqueous concentrate (right) produced during the centrifugal contactor run.

Research Highlight

Research Projects

CMI Project 1.1.10 Enabling lithium mudstone: the nation’s largest lithium resource (Project ELM)

CMI Project 1.1.5 Enhanced domestic extraction of platinum group metals, nickel, copper and cobalt from primary sources

CMI Project 1.1.6 Extraction of rare earth phosphate minerals from primary and secondary sources

CMI Project 1.1.7 Improving beneficiation efficiency via preferential breakage and physical separation

CMI Project 1.1.9 Diversifying lithium supply from brines to hard-rock minerals: mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperature (MELLT) from α-Spodumenes

CMI Project 1.2.2 Enhancing critical mineral separation with a dual-ligand approach

CMI Project 1.2.3 Recovery and separation of gallium and germanium from zinc wastes

CMI Project 1.2.8 Selective separation of platinum group metals, precious metals, and critical elements from selenium crude residue at Kennecott Utah Copperton Concentrator

Enhancing and Diversifying Supply

News & Highlights

Lithium extraction from minerals: techno-economic analysis (TEA)

Comparative LCA of germanium production from unconventional sources using chlorinated distillation and solvent extraction

Enhanced REE separations using dual neutral extractant approach

Unlocking cobalt from cobaltiferous pyrite by inert roasting

Engaging young minds to recover critical materials

Research Projects

CMI Project 1.1.10 Enabling lithium mudstone: the nation’s largest lithium resource (Project ELM)

CMI Project 1.1.5 Enhanced domestic extraction of platinum group metals, nickel, copper and cobalt from primary sources

CMI Project 1.1.6 Extraction of rare earth phosphate minerals from primary and secondary sources

CMI Project 1.1.7 Improving beneficiation efficiency via preferential breakage and physical separation

CMI Project 1.1.9 Diversifying lithium supply from brines to hard-rock minerals: mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperature (MELLT) from α-Spodumenes

CMI Project 1.2.2 Enhancing critical mineral separation with a dual-ligand approach

CMI Project 1.2.3 Recovery and separation of gallium and germanium from zinc wastes

CMI Project 1.2.8 Selective separation of platinum group metals, precious metals, and critical elements from selenium crude residue at Kennecott Utah Copperton Concentrator