Daijiworld Media Network – Oklahoma

Oklahoma, Jun 18: In a surprising twist to America’s efforts to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals, Oklahoma is fast emerging as a pivotal player in refining essential elements for the energy transition. Tucked under the Wichita Mountains, a startup-led facility in the state is now home to the only US - based nickel refinery a key component in battery and military technologies.

The two-story warehouse, owned by Westwin Elements, refines nickel a feat no other facility in the country currently undertakes. Despite being geographically distant from major shipping routes and lacking natural mineral deposits, Oklahoma has attracted investments for lithium, rare earths, and battery recycling. It now houses or plans to launch more critical minerals facilities than any other US state.

“There’s money flying into critical minerals from the investment side, so it might as well be located in Oklahoma,” said Governor Kevin Stitt, who has led the state’s push into this emerging sector.

Westwin’s nickel refinery, led by cattle-rancher-turned-entrepreneur KaLeigh Long, can process 200 metric tons of nickel annually and aims to scale up to 34,000 metric tons by 2030 potentially covering 10% of America’s annual nickel demand. The company is in talks with the Pentagon to supply refined nickel for military applications, aiming to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Joining Westwin is Stardust Power, building a lithium plant expected to produce 50,000 metric tons a year one-fifth of projected US needs by 2030. Japan’s Sumitomo has already signed a preliminary deal to purchase up to half of its output. CEO Roshan Pujari emphasized that the facility would partly run on renewable energy, tapping into Oklahoma’s wind power.

Also underway is USA Rare Earth’s magnet factory, which will make magnets for electric vehicles (EVs) and defense applications. CEO Josh Ballard said their decision to choose Oklahoma over Texas was driven by direct support from state leaders. The factory will produce enough magnets annually to power over 400,000 EVs.

Battery recyclers Green Li-ion and Blue Whale Materials, along with Tulsa’s Natural Evolution, are developing facilities to reclaim copper and other materials from used batteries. Green Li-ion, now headquartered in Oklahoma, is in discussions with mining giant Glencore and Westwin to provide mixed hydroxide precipitate for nickel production.

Despite setbacks such as EV firm Canoo filing for bankruptcy and Panasonic choosing Kansas over Oklahoma for a battery plant state officials remain undeterred. “We’re going to keep swinging for the fences,” said Governor Stitt.

However, the state faces major hurdles, including its underperforming education system, ranked 48th in the nation. In response, Stitt has pushed for a school voucher programme aimed at driving competition and attracting talent.

As federal legislation emerges to support rare earth magnet manufacturing and minerals sourcing, Oklahoma is lobbying for federal policies that prioritize US - processed materials a cause Long, the Westwin founder, passionately champions.

“Just like in ranching, the refiner not the miner makes the most money,” Long said. “So I decided I want to be the packer.”