Starting later this month, the United States will implement a ban on the export of tungsten scrap and recycled battery materials. This move comes less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump authorized officials to retain potentially critical materials within the country.
According to rules published in the Federal Register, suppliers of tungsten waste and lithium-ion battery black mass will be required to sell these materials domestically, though they may apply for exemptions. The restriction is set to last for one year.
President Trump signed an executive order last week, empowering the government to limit exports of industrial waste containing key minerals and materials. This action leverages the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to secure supplies.
In the notice published in the Federal Register, the Commerce Department stated: "The President has indicated that insufficient supplies of critical minerals and materials pose a growing risk to our national defense and security, and the United States must take immediate action to ensure the availability of such recycled materials."
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