Phoenix Tailings

Ok, I’ll admit.. this was pretty cool! So glad I was able to give voice to the importance of critical metals for the energy transition. A big thank you to Nicholas Myers , Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD and Anthony Balladon for being on this crazy journey with me! I couldn’t ask for better partners to build Phoenix Tailings with!

You know... I find it odd that when people talk about startups, they never really talk about the people who make this crazy journey worth it. Michelle Chao is one of those bright lights who makes this whole adventure worth it and possible. She works through the toughest challenges and always pushes the people around her to be the best. I could not be more proud of her for representing Phoenix Tailings and the Critical Metals industry to the United States Secretary of Energy, Hon. Jennifer Granholm. No one can better convey the challenges startups face and the need to solve this national security issue. Watch the discussion she had here! Way to go, Michelle! https://lnkd.in/g4brNxXQ #arpae #DOE #Cleantech #EnergyTransition ARPA-E

People are the lifeblood of a startup company looking to change the world. To actually change the world, we have to bring on the best and the brightest to our team. Phoenix Tailings is kicking off a new Leadership Development Program that trains high-performing individuals to be the company's executives in the future! This rigorous 12-month program consists of day-to-day hands-on work building the production of domestic critical metals, executive training, and customized career growth trajectory support. All of this is done with a cohort of highly passionate people alongside you. Openings are in Engineering, Research, Finance, and Operations. Together, we can make a difference. Send me or Michelle Chao a note if you are interested! More details to come!

With the critical minerals market in the spotlight, the history and control of rare-earth magnets is highly relevant. Their evolution from US innovation to Chinese dominance exposes significant supply chain risks and geopolitical implications. Historical Background:  In the early 1980s, General Motors (US) and Sumitomo (Japan) independently developed neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. Project leaders John Croat and Masato Sagawa announced their findings simultaneously in 1983 at a conference in Pittsburgh. These magnets quickly became essential due to their unmatched strength and efficiency, replacing the previously used and costly samarium-cobalt magnets. NdFeB magnets were initially used in electric motors, generators, and hard-disk drives, revolutionizing these technologies. Technological Evolution:  Over time, the applications of NdFeB magnets expanded to include consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems like wind turbines. Their ability to enhance performance while reducing size and weight has driven widespread adoption and innovation across multiple industries. Shift in Global Production:  While the US and Japan led the initial development, production has dramatically shifted to China over the past few decades. China now controls about 85% of the global supply, thanks to lower labor costs, less stringent environmental regulations, and substantial state subsidies. This dominance poses significant risks to global supply chains. Supply Chain Risks:  China’s near-monopoly on rare earth production exposes the world to several supply chain risks: - Geopolitical Tensions: Any geopolitical conflict involving China could disrupt the supply of rare earth elements, affecting numerous industries globally. Environmental Regulations: Stricter laws in China could reduce production, leading to global supply shortages and price spikes. - Economic Policies: Trade restrictions or tariffs imposed by China could further strain global supply chains. - Future Prospects: As technology advances, the demand for NdFeB magnets is expected to rise, particularly in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Innovations in recycling and alternative materials could help meet this demand without significant price volatility. Geopolitical shifts and strategic investments by other nations aim to create a more diversified and resilient supply chain. Rare-earth magnets continue to shape our technological landscape, driving growth and innovation across multiple industries. However, the concentration of production in China exposes global supply chains to significant risks. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing future strategies in technology and supply chain management. #Technology #Innovation #SupplyChain #RareEarthMagnets #RenewableEnergy #ConsumerElectronics #MedicalDevices #USChinaRelations Ross Leav Hiroshi Tomogae

Alarming news out of China as they take initial steps to lock down rare earth metals, essential in various aspects of American life from energy to weapons systems. Developing diverse, sustainable supplies globally is crucial. At Phoenix, we aim to support critical technologies by supplying clean, domestic rare earth metals. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gaKVvfKn #sustainability #criticalminerals #cleantech #defense

The new tariffs on Chinese imports, including permanent magnets, EV batteries, semiconductors, and various critical minerals, are a major shift in U.S. trade policy. As a result, domestic production of these essential resources must be a primary focus for the nation moving forward. This shift will boost the growing U.S. rare earth industry, which is essential to the clean-tech sector and our collective transition to renewable energy. It will also attract investment to drive growth in the domestic rare earth market. This is not only good for the U.S. economy, but also strengthens national security by enhancing supply chain resilience for these critical materials. This development emphasizes the importance of our work at Phoenix Tailings in establishing safe, clean, and sustainable domestic rare earth metal supply channels, which can power American innovation in building a greener future. We look forward to further policy decisions to support the growth of U.S. critical material manufacturing and lessen our dependence on single-source supply chains. 

I am excited to announce that I'll be joining a panel of industry experts at the ARPA-E Energy Summit in Dallas, Texas! It's an honor to be selected as a featured speaker for such an exciting event with so many of the top minds in the energy space. I'm eager to share insights from our work at Phoenix Tailings, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and collaborate with fellow innovators as we explore the latest advancements and solutions in sustainable, domestic critical mineral production. A big thank you to the ARPA-E team for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to the dialogue on shaping the future of energy during the May 22nd-24th event. See you in Dallas!

We are pleased to announce that Phoenix Tailings has secured a $1 million ARPA-E Revolutionizing Ore to Steel to Impact Emissions (ROSIE) grant. This grant is a testament to our industry-leading advancements in zero-emission iron production from discarded tailings waste.  This innovative process is a complementary addition to our platform technology which is designed to economically recover high-grade iron from tailings, including iron ore tailings and bauxite residue, leading to the successful remediation of the sites. By converting what was once considered waste into high-grade iron and other critical minerals, we are setting new industry standards in cost efficiency and environmental stewardship. This grant will accelerate our efforts to increase the yield and quality of iron production, further proving that sustainable practices can coexist with economic growth. We are excited to continue leading the way in eco-friendly mining innovations. 

Our CTO and co-founder, Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD, recently presented as part of the Charles River Museum’s Mill Talk Series. His talk, titled "The Hidden Costs of a Greener Future," focused on how the mining industry must adapt in order to meet the growing demands of renewable energy and electrification. His talk offered incredibly interesting and informative insights into the primary challenges surrounding sustainable resource extraction and why sustainability must be a crucial priority for the mining industry moving forward. Massive thanks to everyone at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation for making this event possible!

We're excited to announce that Anthony Balladon, our Co-Founder and VP of Partnerships, will be participating in a panel discussion at the upcoming MIT Energy Conference. This will be an excellent opportunity to delve into the future prospects of US critical materials – domestic production capabilities, policy, building better supply chains, and more. Get your tickets while they are still available!