In 1997, America's last bismuth refinery shut down. 29 years later, the metal is crucial to a 240-MW nuclear reactor whose coolant supply is 82% Chinese

A proposed American nuclear reactor, EAGL-1, will use liquid lead-bismuth coolant. China currently dominates global refined bismuth production, creating supply chain concerns. First American Nuclear is also developing a facility for uranium fuel fabrication. This fuel plant will convert high-assay low-enriched uranium gas into solid pellets.