The term “critical mineral” has the meaning given the term in section 1606(a) of title 30.
The term “critical minerals and metals” includes any host mineral of a critical mineral.
The term “end-to-end”, with respect to the integration of mining or life cycle of minerals, means the integrated approach of, or the lifecycle determined by, examining the research and developmental process from the mining of the raw minerals to its processing into useful materials, its integration into components and devices, the utilization of such devices in the end-use application to satisfy certain performance metrics, and the recycling or disposal of such devices.
The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 1001 of title 20.
The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given the term in section 15801 of this title.
The term “recycling” means the process of collecting and processing spent materials and devices and turning the materials and devices into raw materials or components that can be reused either partially or completely.
The term “secondary recovery” means the recovery of critical minerals and metals from discarded end-use products or from waste products produced during the metal refining and manufacturing process, including from mine waste piles, acid mine drainage sludge, or byproducts produced through legacy mining and metallurgy activities.
In order to support supply chain resiliency, the Critical Minerals Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council (referred to in this subsection as the “Subcommittee”) shall coordinate Federal science and technology efforts to ensure secure and reliable supplies of critical minerals to the United States.
In carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), the Subcommittee shall, taking into account the findings and recommendations of relevant advisory committees, identify and evaluate Federal policies and regulations that restrict the mining of critical minerals.
In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek to award not less than 30 percent of the total amount of grants awarded during the fiscal year for projects relating to secondary recovery of critical minerals and metals.
In awarding grants for the development of critical minerals and metals under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall prioritize pilot projects that will process the critical minerals and metals domestically.
In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that pilot projects do not export for processing any critical minerals and metals to a foreign entity of concern.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the grant program established under paragraph (1) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024.