U.S. Restricts Exports of Battery Scrap and Tungsten

The Bureau of Industry and Security will now control the outflow of black mass—shredded metals derived from recycled lithium-ion batteries—and tungsten waste to bolster domestic inventories. This action directly responds to Chinese export restrictions that have fueled a 500% surge in tungsten prices over the past year, complicating military procurement efforts.

While the administration seeks to stabilize supply, domestic production faces significant hurdles. A major tungsten deposit recently identified by 3 Proton Lithium in Nevada’s Great Basin Desert is currently sidelined. NASA has blocked further development in the region, arguing that mining activities would interfere with critical infrastructure used to track satellite signals. As global trade becomes increasingly fragmented, the U.S. government is prioritizing the retention of these raw materials to ensure they remain within domestic industrial channels.