New Process Extracts Rare Earths From Mining Waste
The electrochemical method aims to reduce global mining waste while securing raw materials without toxic byproducts.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Materials Science
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Founded in 2019, Boston-based Phoenix Tailings utilizes a proprietary electrochemical process to extract rare earth metals from mining waste. This technology offers a way to recover materials while eliminating the toxic byproducts typically associated with traditional extraction methods.
Why it matters
The process aims to mitigate the environmental impact of the global mining sector, which generates several billion tons of waste annually. By sourcing metals from existing tailings, the company addresses both resource scarcity and the ecological damage caused by legacy mining operations.
The company employs a proprietary electrochemical technique to pull rare earth metals from mine tailings. When powered by renewable energy, this extraction method is carbon-free and produces no toxic chemical waste.
The players
Phoenix Tailings
A Boston-based company developing carbon-free, electrochemical processes to extract materials from mining waste.
Tomás Villalón Jr.
The cofounder of Phoenix Tailings who established the company to address environmental pollution issues.
The details
The process functions by using electrochemical separation to isolate specific minerals from the complex mineral matrix found in mining waste. By applying an electric current to the waste material, the company can target and remove desired rare earth elements without the use of traditional, polluting chemical leaching agents. This method effectively transforms hazardous tailings into a secondary source for industrial materials.
Timeline
2019: Phoenix Tailings is cofounded in Boston.
The Tech Race
Phoenix Tailings is part of a growing effort to reprocess industrial waste streams to secure rare earth metals. This work follows the broader trend of environmental remediation of legacy mining tailing sites by converting waste into secondary supply chains.
The technology aims to provide industrial manufacturers with a cleaner source of rare earth metals, potentially reducing reliance on traditional, high-pollution extraction methods. The availability of these materials depends on the scaling of electrochemical processing facilities in mining-heavy regions.
The takeaway
The move toward extracting metals from tailings highlights a shift toward circular industrial economies that prioritize carbon-free methods. Readers should monitor future benchmarks regarding the energy efficiency and purity levels of metals recovered through this electrochemical process.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in resource reclamation on our Materials Science page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MIT Technology Review.
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