Executive Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation announced on June 30, 2026, a total funding of $75 million to accelerate the development of technologies for recovering critical minerals and materials from coal and coal-based resources. This investment aims to strengthen the domestic critical minerals supply chain and secure minerals essential for the clean energy transition. Specifically, the focus will be on technologies for extracting strategically important minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements from abandoned coal mine waste and coal combustion byproducts.

Why It Matters

This investment by the U.S. Department of Energy is interpreted as a strategic move to strengthen U.S. energy security and economic independence amidst intensifying global competition for critical minerals. Critical minerals are key drivers for future industries such as electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics, and securing a stable supply chain is directly linked to national competitiveness. Technologies for recovering minerals from coal-based resources have the potential to address both environmental issues and resource recycling. This is also expected to contribute to fostering a new industrial ecosystem by promoting the development and commercialization of related technologies.

Impact on the Korean Market

The U.S. investment in critical mineral recovery technology development could indirectly impact Korean companies related to batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. The strengthening of the U.S. domestic critical minerals supply chain could contribute to the long-term price stabilization of the global critical minerals market, thereby alleviating the raw material procurement burden for relevant Korean companies. However, at the same time, the strengthening of U.S. domestic production and supply chains may necessitate changes in the market entry strategies of Korean companies for the U.S. market. Specifically, it could present opportunities for technological cooperation or market entry for Korean companies possessing critical mineral recycling and extraction technologies. Korean companies should closely monitor U.S. critical mineral policy trends and prepare proactive response strategies accordingly.

Future Scenarios

The expansion of U.S. investment in critical minerals has the potential to reshape the landscape of the global critical minerals market in the future. In the short term, competition in related technology development is expected to intensify, and the commercialization of new extraction and recycling technologies will accelerate. In the long term, the U.S. will continue its efforts to increase self-sufficiency in critical minerals and reduce dependence on specific countries. This will promote the diversification of global critical mineral supply chains and provide new growth opportunities for companies possessing relevant technologies. Investors should pay close attention to the trends of companies with critical mineral-related technologies, especially those involved in strategic minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, and thoroughly analyze the impact of U.S. policy changes on the global raw material market. Furthermore, the participation of Korean companies in overseas critical mineral projects and trends in technological cooperation could also be important investment points.