Before the pandemic brought everyday life to a halt, Joe Kiele supported himself through the industry that dominates Nevada’s economy. Four years later, Mr. Kiele, 49, remains in Reno, yet he now spends his workday inside a factory. In place of worrying about the doneness of a customer’s rib-eye, he trains people on the proper handling of industrial chemicals. It extracts critical minerals like nickel, lithium, copper and cobalt, and uses them to manufacture components for electric vehicle batteries. In recent years, they have tried to secure investment from companies engaged in the transition toward green energy.

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Persons: Joe Kiele, Kiele, Nevada’s Organizations: Reno ., Redwood Locations: Reno