DOE Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility (DE-FOA-0003587)

DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains sought applications to design, construct, commission, and operate a full-scale rare earth element demonstration facility that takes feedstock derived from acid mine drainage, mine waste, or other deleterious material, separates mixed rare earth oxides into pure individual oxides, and refines those oxides into rare earth metals at a single site. Up to $134 million was available with a minimum 50% recipient cost share, and an academic partner was required on the project team. Applications closed January 20, 2026; on June 2, 2026 DOE announced two projects selected for award negotiations (a Colorado School of Mines-led red mud project in Louisiana and a Phoenix Tailings-led industrial-waste-feedstock project).

Facts on this page last re-verified Aug 11, 2026 — the oldest verification date among its current claims. How we verify.