Some Believe This Acid Mine Drainage Could Help the United States Strengthen Its Position in the Increasingly Vital Rare Earths Market

MOUNT STORM, West Virginia — In the Appalachian region of West Virginia, reddish water flowing from retired coal mines is acidic, heavy with metals and toxic to the environment. But that water is also rich in rare earths, the coveted minerals essential for high-tech products like smartphones and the clean energy industry, which have become a focus of geopolitical competition. Some believe this acid mine drainage could help the United States strengthen its position in the increasingly vital rare earths market. A new pilot project aims to achieve two goals at once: environmental cleanup and the recovery of these critical minerals as a valuable byproduct.