Microsoft, Western Digital turn retired hard drives into strategic mineral goldmine

Microsoft and Western Digital are piloting a rare earth recovery initiative, extracting key elements like neodymium and dysprosium from decommissioned hard drives. Using acid-free methods, the project achieves over 90% recovery, turning aging data center hardware into domestic supply chain assets. As geopolitical tensions rise over mineral access, this sustainable model reimagines e-waste as a strategic resource—not just landfill.