RE:Patent questionIt is already protected thru the provisional patent application sent November 22, 2016.
https://americanmanganeseinc.com/patent-application-submitted-for-recovering-cathode-materials-from-spent-lithium-ion-electric-vehicle-batteries-with-proof-of-concept-work-complete-company-prepares-to-commence-graduated-technology/
https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/patent-basics/types-patent-applications/provisional-application-patent
Patent Pending
While your patent application is pending (after the patent application is filed but before the patent is granted) you will have patent pending status. You are not required to wait until you obtain a patent to start exploiting (making, marking, selling, licensing, etc.) your invention. You can begin doing so after the patent application is filed, as long as the patent application fully describes and covers all the elements of your invention that you intend to disclose and use publicly.
https://www.ericksonlawgroup.com/law/patents/patentfaq/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-patent/