International Centers of Excellence for Innovative Critical Minerals Supply Chain Technologies

(a) Establishment The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall seek to establish centers, to be known as International Centers of Excellence for Innovative Critical Minerals Supply Chain Technologies (referred to in this section as Centers), to provide services to countries and entities participating in the program. (b) Purposes The purposes of the Centers shall be— (1) to advance the development, demonstration, and deployment of innovative, responsible, and resource-efficient critical minerals extraction, processing, and recycling technologies; (2) to strengthen technical, regulatory, and institutional capacity in countries and entities participating in the program; (3) to promote transparency, traceability, and adherence to internationally recognized environmental, labor, and human rights standards; and (4) to support secure, diversified, and resilient critical minerals supply chains aligned with United States national and economic security interests. (c) Activities The Centers may provide support for— (1) applied research, pilot projects, and demonstration activities for innovative extraction and processing technologies, including low-impact and non-traditional methods; (2) technical assistance and training to government entities, academic institutions, and private sector partners; (3) cooperation among United States entities and foreign country institutions, including universities, national laboratories, and industry; (4) the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks that— (A) protect public health and safety; (B) prevent environmental harm; (C) prevent the use of forced or child labor; and (D) improve mine site remediation and closure practices; and (5) data-driven tools and digital systems to enhance monitoring and reporting, including with respect to— (A) supply chain traceability; (B) operational resource and energy usage efficiency metrics and lifecycle emissions accounting; (C) measurements relating to air quality, water quality, land use, and site remediation; (D) identification and mitigation risks related to labor or practices, community impact, or ecological stewardship; and (E) promoting beneficiation, value addition, and the recycling and reuse of critical minerals. (d) Administration The Centers shall be administered by the Director, in coordination with relevant partner countries and the Federal agencies described in section 105(b)(3)(C).