CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Last week, China halted the exportation of two minerals – germanium and gallium – throughout the world, which has presented Nyrstar Holdings the opportunity to supply the materials throughout the United States right out of Clarksville.
CNN reported that the two elements have become restricted in China to protect the country’s “national security and interests.” This means anyone interested in acquiring the exported materials would have to apply for special permission to ship them out of the country.
“The move has ramped up a tech war with the United States over who has access to advanced chipmaking technology, which is vital for everything from smartphones and self-driving cars to weapons manufacturing,” according to the CNN report.
China produces 80% of the world’s gallium and about 60% of its germanium, according to the Critical Raw Materials Alliance.
What this means for Nyrstar
Nyrstar has been in the process of expanding operations at its Clarksville zinc plant with the addition of a new gallium and germanium processing facility, according to previous reports. It’s estimated the Nyrstar facility could produce around 30 tons of germanium and 40 tons of gallium in Tennessee, which would provide 80 percent of the U.S.’s germanium and gallium needs.
Nyrstar spokesperson Kathryn Bugg told Clarksville Now that while there isn’t a domestic source supplying the materials in the States, Nyrstar could step in and fill that role.
The construction of the $150 million facility has yet to take place as Nyrstar explores funding opportunities, which includes federal funding and private loans. Bugg said the hope remains for the project to be kickstarted as quickly and efficiently as possible.
When the funding has been secured and construction has been completed, they expect it to take two years until finished material is produced. Nyrstar currently has a stockpile for the materials needed for production, which will be used at the new facility to process the byproduct material.