Westwin Elements at Critical Minerals Expo North America - Base Metals as a National Priority
Base Metals as a National Priority
Critical minerals play an essential role in supporting American industry, economic security, and national defense. While rare earth elements have received significant attention, base metals such as nickel, copper, and zinc are equally important to strengthening the nation's industrial capacity. These materials support defense systems, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure, and other essential industries.
Westwin Elements Chief Commercial Officer Seth Long participated in the “Spotlight on Base Metals: Planning Ahead for Future Supply Chains,” panel at Critical Minerals Expo North America in Atlanta, Georgia. The discussion examined the importance of base metals to American industry, the challenges facing domestic supply chains, and the need to expand U.S. processing and refining capacity to support long-term security.
Westwin Elements' Chief Commercial Officer, Seth Long, participates in the Critical Minerals Expo North America panel "Spotlight on Base Metals: Planning Ahead for Future Supply Chains."
Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains
Securing access to critical minerals is only one part of building a secure domestic supply chain. Without sufficient processing and refining infrastructure, the U.S. remains dependent on foreign countries to transform raw materials into the products required by American manufacturers.
During the panel, Long emphasized the importance of domestic nickel refining to national defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, highlighting the need to reduce reliance on foreign processing.
Westwin is working to help restore domestic Class 1 nickel refining capacity, building on its 20-tonne-per-year demonstration plant in Lawton, Oklahoma. The company recently announced plans to invest $502 million over five years in a commercial-scale refinery in Natchez, Mississippi. The facility's first phase is planned to produce 18,000 tonnes of Class 1 nickel annually, with commissioning targeted for 2029.
Refining and Industrial Strength
Domestic mineral security requires more than securing raw materials. Refining is an essential link between mineral resources and the industries that depend on them, making domestic processing capacity critical to strengthening American manufacturing and national security.
Long highlighted the need to prioritize base metal refining as well as rare earth supply chains. Westwin's work in Lawton and planned expansion in Natchez reflect its commitment to developing the infrastructure and technical expertise needed to support domestic nickel production at scale.
Discussions at Critical Minerals Expo North America reinforced the importance of collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders in building more secure and resilient U.S. critical minerals supply chains.
The Critical Mineral Expo North America panelists included (from left to right): Josef Daniel-Ivad, Head of Zinc Battery Initiative - International Zinc Association; Lauri Pesonen, Head of Sales - Smelting - Metso; Dr. Parvin Adeli, Manager, Batteries Program - Nickel Institute; Seth Long, Chief Commercial Officer - Westwin Elements; and moderator Kamila Slupek, Secretary General - International Copper Study Group.
