WVU Advances U.S.-Based Rare Earth Extraction from Acid Mine Drainage

Highlights

• West Virginia University successfully extracts rare earth elements from acid mine drainage at a full-scale treatment plant near Mount Storm.
• The EPA-funded project converts environmental waste into critical materials for EVs, batteries, defense tech, and aerospace systems.
• WVU’s patented method provides a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional mining.
• The facility processes 800 gallons per minute.

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West Virginia University (WVU) continues to make strides in extracting rare earth elements (REEs) from acid mine drainage (AMD), offering a scalable, low-cost, and environmentally viable alternative to traditional mining.

Led by Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz, (opens in a new tab) the WVU Water Research Institute (opens in a new tab) has deployed a full-scale AMD treatment plant near Mount Storm, WV. The plant processes 800 gallons per minute and yields REE concentrates approaching 99% purity without chemical refinement, reports Metro News West Virginia.

With $3 million in EPA funding, WVU aims to expand refining operations and commercialize rare earths such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium, and magnet-grade oxides critical for EVs, batteries, defense tech, and aerospace systems. The patented method—now implemented across West Virginia and Montana sites with Virginia Tech collaboration—converts environmental waste into a strategic supply. As Ziemkiewicz puts it: “No mines, no permits, no decade-long delays—just clean recovery from an existing problem.”

Rare Earth Exchanges has reached out for a potential interview with Professor Ziemkiewicz.