Loading…
Loading…
ARPA-E's ROCKS program (FOA DE-FOA-0003592) funds transformative ore-characterization technology across three categories: drilling technology for faster, more efficient core recovery; sensing and analysis methods delivering higher-resolution, faster subsurface measurements; and other disruptive approaches to deposit delineation. The stated goal is to compress the traditional years-long deposit feasibility assessment into months, enabling faster identification of alternate and untapped rare-earth-element and critical-mineral resources on US soil. ARPA-E expects to make roughly 10-12 awards of USD 2-5 million each, funded from a combined USD 40 million pool shared with a companion SBIR/STTR track. The program was announced alongside MAGNITO (advanced permanent-magnet materials R&D), together framed by DOE as a USD 60 million package to reduce US dependence on foreign-controlled rare-earth and magnet supply chains.
operating mines — impact on actual US ore supply is several years out and contingent on which technologies clear the program and get adopted commercially.
industrial policy (DOE FECM/NETL's USD 355M mining NOFOs, DPA Title III awards, MP Materials/DoD equity) as the exploration/characterization layer of that stack, distinct from processing or downstream manufacturing funding.
investment-decision timelines for US rare-earth prospects if the funded technologies mature, a persistent bottleneck relative to China's integrated mine-to-magnet pipeline.
concept-paper and full-application review concludes?
Round Top, Bokan Mountain) that could be identified as company_refs once awards are announced?
technologies into a production-scale DOE loan/grant vehicle?