The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security has announced a one-year restriction on exports of black mass and tungsten waste and scrap materials without prior licensing approval. According to OilPrice, the action aims to preserve domestic access to recoverable critical minerals and materials essential for national supply chains and economic competitiveness.
The move follows a Presidential Determination issued under Section 101 of the Defense Production Act, which empowers the government to prioritize critical resource allocation during periods of scarcity. The temporary final rule reflects growing concerns about the availability of minerals critical to battery manufacturing, electronics, and defense applications amid global supply chain challenges.
The one-year export licensing requirement is designed to ensure that these valuable materials—which can be recovered and reused from industrial waste and spent batteries—remain available for domestic manufacturers and recyclers rather than being sold to foreign competitors. The action underscores the Biden administration's broader strategy to strengthen U.S. control over essential supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign sources for materials vital to clean energy and advanced technology sectors.