FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. (KFVS) – The attorney for a battery recycling plant discussed recovery efforts after a large fire.

The fire at Critical Mineral Recovery was reported around 1:37 PM on Wednesday, October 30. About 26 firefighters from the region responded to the fire, according to the highway patrol.

According to Al Watkins, an attorney for Critical Mineral Recovery, the facility opened in the fall of 2023. Production began in early 2024.

He said 75 people were employed by CMR and they planned to hire another 75 by the end of the year.

All operations at the facility have been suspended at this time.

Watkins described the damage as a “significant loss” and said the facility could not be used for the foreseeable future.

He said CMR hopes to resume operations in Fredericktown at some point in the future.

“The really good news is that not one human being was hurt,” he said. “The company’s priority is the human beings who worked there and the human beings who are part of the community around CMR.”

Watkins said the 75 people employed by CMR will remain on the payroll.

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