Several Upstate Congressmembers are reaching across the aisle to try and bring rare-earth materials refining to the region. The initiative could have local economic impact, but also has national security implications.
The last time you heard of gallium might have been when you looked at the periodic table in high school science class. But the mineral is a critical piece of a range of sophisticated technologies, such as advanced radar systems, G-P-S navigation and A-I microchips. Congressmember John Mannion of Syracuse noted China controls as much as 98% of the worlds refined supply. “So, from a supply chain standpoint and a national security standpoint, it's critical that we in this country are doing our own extracting and refining.”
He added China often restricts access to the material and at times of political tensions can cut it off entirely.
Mannion has signed on to a letter to the defense department’s assistant secretary for base policy to create a center for gallium extraction and refining at Rome’s Air Force Research Laboratory. He explained the Mohawk Valley region is uniquely situated to be home to such an operation. “First of all, not everybody (other regions) is ready to do this. Second of all, we have private companies locally that have made this a priority.”
The Rome Labs are already collaborating with local companies that handle rare earth materials extraction and refining. The defense appropriations bill includes an additional $10 million set aside for critical mineral extraction.
Mannion adds the expertise and workforce are here to establish a stable gallium supply chain. “we want to make sure we have our own micro sector here where we're in the self-sustaining economy as it relates to these advanced technologies. … And it only builds upon our legacy of being at the forefront of, you know, technology and research here along the throughway corridor in central New York and the Mohawk Valley.”
The bipartisan nature of this is significant. Fellow Democrats Joe Morelle and Tim Kennedy, along with Republicans Elise Stafanik and Nick Langworthy also signed the letter. Mannion noted he hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with some members of the GOP or the administration, but said the interests of the region and the nation made this important to sign onto.
