“Oklahoma is America’s critical minerals hub,” proclaimed the industry publication, Metal Tech News.
The state got a big promotional push recentlly by the industry publication which declared “Oklahoma is rapidly emerging as a master link in domestic supply chains that will break America’s heavy dependence on imports from China and others for the minerals and metals critical to energy, defense, and modern living.”
When coupled with a well-developed energy workforce, a robust highway and rail network, and a large inland port connected to the Mississippi River system, Oklahoma’s welcoming business environment has attracted billions of dollars in investments from companies setting up critical minerals refining and recycling centers in the Sooner State,reported Metal Tech.
It stressed a handful of mineral industry businesses that have located in the eastern part of the state, taking advantage of the waterways. One is Westwin Elements which landed a $1.75 billion nickel sale contract. Then there is the deal struck between Oklahoma and Emirates Global Aluminium to invet $4 billion to build the first aluminum factory in the U.S. since 1980.
The publication also highlighted Stardust Power which broke ground in January to build a lithium refinery near Muskogee.
Stardust selected Muskogee due to the strategic advantages offered by the eastern Oklahoma city – advantages that begin with a large inland port that allows shipping along the wider Mississippi River system to 20 U.S. states and global seaports via the Gulf of Mexico.
The mid-American inland port town is also at the heart of the continental highway and rail system that connects the refinery to upstream sources of lithium feedstock in Arkansas, Nevada, and North Carolina, as well as downstream lithium battery manufacturers across the U.S.
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