As global supply chains face disruption, Missouri’s mining industry is seeing a surge in interest. With new tariffs on Chinese goods and export restrictions from Congo, the demand for domestic critical minerals like cobalt, gallium, and germanium is soaring.
Now, Missouri companies and researchers are accelerating efforts to extract these minerals locally to support industries like electronics, defense, and renewable energy.
Global Supply Shifts Elevate Missouri’s Role
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which provides 76% of the world’s cobalt, recently restricted exports. In response, Missouri-based US Strategic Metals and The Doe Run Company are pushing forward cobalt production projects.
Meanwhile, China’s export ban on gallium and germanium has placed added pressure on the U.S., which heavily relies on Chinese imports for these minerals—key components in semiconductors, defense systems, and fiber optics.
Local Innovation Tackles Critical Mineral Demand
Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) are working on extracting gallium and germanium from zinc leach residue (ZLR) and other industrial waste.
Funded by federal innovation hubs, these efforts could create cost-effective and scalable alternatives to foreign imports.
“ZLR was once considered waste,” said Dr. Lana Alagha of Missouri S&T. “Now, we’re exploring its potential as a secondary source for critical metals.”
US Strategic Metals Leads Domestic Cobalt Effort
In Fredericktown, US Strategic Metals is reviving the Madison mine site to extract cobalt, nickel, and copper. The company has already invested more than $265 million in infrastructure and plans to produce 11,000 tons of cobalt per year by 2026. The operation will also integrate battery recycling (black mass) as a future feedstock.
“This project is one of the largest near-term cobalt production efforts in the U.S.,” said USSM’s Commercial Director Michael Hollomon.
Tariffs and Trade Disputes Could Boost U.S. Mining
With a 35% total tariff now on Chinese-origin cobalt, local producers are positioned to become more competitive. However, experts like Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei caution that loopholes—like importing finished goods—may undercut domestic efforts unless carefully regulated.
Economist Alan Spell notes, “Tariffs make foreign imports more expensive, which can benefit domestic mining if it’s done efficiently.”
Environmental Responsibility in Missouri Mining
As extraction expands, so do concerns about environmental risks. Missouri S&T researchers, including Mariam Al-Lami, are testing native plant revegetation techniques on reclaimed mining sites. These sustainable practices could reduce long-term ecological damage while supporting biodiversity.
With rising global instability, tariffs, and supply chain constraints, Missouri is rapidly emerging as a hub for critical mineral production.
Through innovative research, industrial investment, and eco-conscious practices, the state is positioning itself to play a vital role in the future of U.S. clean energy and manufacturing.