Talon Metals has received $2.47 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency ( DLA ). This investment will go toward a research and development project to improve the extraction of nickel , cobalt , and iron from polymetallic sulfide mineral resources nationwide.
Research and improvement in nickel extraction
The funding is part of the 2024 Defense Appropriations Act and seeks to strengthen U.S. independence in critical minerals. Talon Metals will lead research at its Tamarack Project in Minnesota, along with a proposed processing facility in North Dakota. Both projects are in the early permitting stages but have strong foundations for producing materials essential for batteries and defense systems.
The project’s technological approach includes the integration of advanced methods such as bipolar membrane electrodialysis , developed by Argonne National Laboratory , and other reductive leaching techniques. These tools will allow for increased nickel recovery, while minimizing the impact on industrial waste generation.
The funding underscores the importance of nickel as a strategic resource for defense platforms and the global energy transition. According to Talon Metals CEO Henri van Rooyen, this project represents a decisive step towards U.S. autonomy in the production of critical minerals.
Senator John Hoeven’s involvement has been important in this initiative. His support reinforces the vision of making North Dakota an innovation hub for critical minerals processing , ensuring that labor and environmental standards are a priority.
This project will allow the United States to produce nickel and other materials for batteries and clean energy systems under strict environmental standards. It will also take advantage of by-products such as magnesium carbonate, increasing the value of the extracted resources and reducing the environmental impact.
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Source and photos: Talon Metals