Critical minerals sit at the center of the clean energy transition, yet refining remains the most overlooked constraint. Mark LaVerghetta explains why supply chain risk is concentrated in processing, not extraction, and how new technologies can enable domestic capacity, improve flexibility, and strengthen both economic and national security.
Main Topics Discussed
• Refining as the primary bottleneck in critical mineral supply chains
• China’s dominance in midstream processing and geopolitical implications
• Innovative refining approaches using chromatography versus traditional chemical methods
• Flexible feedstock sourcing from recycling, waste streams, and industrial inputs
• Impact of domestic refining on energy security and advanced technology industries
