How abandoned coal mines in Appalachia are joining the global race for rare earth metals
![How abandoned coal mines in Appalachia are joining the global race for rare earth metals](https://images.fastcompany.com/image/upload/w_1280,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/wp-cms-2/2024/07/AP24192770248720.jpg)
Groundwater pouring out of old coal mines contains rare earth metals essential to clean energy products such as EVs and rechargeable batteries.
Down a long gravel road, tucked into the hills in West Virginia, is a low-slung building where researchers are extracting essential elements from an old coal mine that they hope will strengthen the nation’s energy future.