How coal mine waste could power America's next clean energy movement

"can contaminate drinking water for decades. However, hidden in that orange drainage are valuable metals known as rare earth elements that are vital for many technologies the U.S. relies on, including smartphones, wind turbines, and military jets. In fact, studies have found that the concentrations of rare earths in acid mine waste can be comparable to the amount in ores mined to extract rare earths."

"Scientists estimate that more than 13,700 miles of U.S. streams, predominantly in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, are contaminated with acid mine discharge. A closer look at acid mine drainage from abandoned mines in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission We and our colleagues at West Virginia University have been working on ways to turn the acid waste in those bright orange creeks into a reliable domestic source for rare earths while also cleaning the water."

Acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines produces acidic, metal-laden runoff that degrades aquatic ecosystems, corrodes infrastructure, and can contaminate drinking water for decades. That orange-colored discharge also concentrates rare earth elements, which are essential for technologies such as smartphones, wind turbines, and military equipment. Studies show concentrations in some mine waste can rival conventional ores, and experiments indicate extraction of rare earths from this wastewater can work. Widespread contamination affects thousands of stream miles, and resolving legal ownership of mine waste could enable remediation projects that recover critical minerals while improving water quality.

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