Mines Newsroom - Official news from the Colorado School of Mines

A student wearing safety goggles, gloves, and a respirator mask performs a lab experiment in a mineral processing laboratory, measuring material on a scale next to an open lab notebook.

Critical Minerals Week: Mines researchers leading collaborations to increase domestic mining, secure supply chains

With expertise in critical minerals mining, policy, economics and community engagement, researchers at Colorado School of Mines are helping chart a path to strengthened national resilience and resource independence.

Recent Colorado School of Mines grads continue to see positive outcomes

Media tip sheet: Economics of critical minerals

Payne Institute 2025 State of Critical Minerals Report: How processing and recovery can strengthen U.S. mineral security

Lessons from social sciences could move community engagement on industrial decarbonization projects from “public relations” to meaningful impact

Mines researchers contributing to $5M DOE center to design impact-resistant materials

Inside the Colorado School of Mines student research shaping the future of critical minerals

Mine waste offers new path to sourcing critical minerals, sustainable construction materials

News Headlines

September 11, 2025

Recent Colorado School of Mines grads continue to see positive outcomes

speakers at table during Critical Minerals Report release

September 9, 2025

Payne Institute 2025 State of Critical Minerals Report: How processing and recovery can strengthen U.S. mineral security

A researcher in a white lab coat and green gloves stands next to specialized equipment used for mine tailings research inside a well-equipped laboratory.

September 4, 2025

Mine waste offers new path to sourcing critical minerals, sustainable construction materials

Mines Magazine

July 9, 2025

Economist turned energy leader: "Coming to Mines was the first step"

June 25, 2025

In a career path fueled by endurace, Mines alum starts athletic performance business

June 24, 2025

New fellowship program helping to turn Mines faculty research into startup reality

Videos

Two Colorado School of Mines students wearing safety vests, hard hats, and headlamps examine the rock ceiling inside the Edgar Experimental Mine using a mounted inspection camera. The underground setting is lit with work lights, revealing rough stone walls.

Colorado School of Mines is shaping the future of mining

A gloved hand holds a small metal scoop of processed mine tailings in a laboratory setting. Behind it, lab equipment and a mixing drum are visible. Overlaid text reads: “Rebuilding with Mining Waste – Inside the lab.”

VIDEO: Mines researchers turn mine tailings into high-performance construction materials

Collage of three scenes: a student tightening a pipe structure, a group solving clues in an escape room, and Jalen Thomas speaking inside a modern building. Banner text reads “Colorado School of Mines – How an Escape Room Idea Became a Startup.”

VIDEO: Mines alum brings escape room startup to life with support from campus innovation ecosystem

Research

Molybdenum mine in the mountains seen from above

Media tip sheet: Economics of critical minerals

Lessons from social sciences could move community engagement on industrial decarbonization projects from “public relations” to meaningful impact

two female students wearing orange ear muffs conducting experiment in lab

Mines researchers contributing to $5M DOE center to design impact-resistant materials

In The News

How the U.S. will break China’s rare earth dominance—and how to play it

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, says the public/private partnership that has formed around the firm MP, the largest U.S.-based rare earth company, is a game changer.

September 12, 2025

Scientists discover fresh water reserve under seafloor off of Cape Cod

Brandon Dugan, professor of geophysics at Colorado School of Mines, joined WBUR's All Things Considered to discuss the eureka moment of discovering a massive reserve of fresh water under the ocean floor off the coast of Cape Cod this summer.

September 11, 2025

America is sitting on a treasure trove of clean-energy minerals – and wasting most of it

Elizabeth Holley, associate professor of mining engineering, is referenced. Holley recently led a study published in Science that examined the critical minerals in the waste streams at U.S. mining operations.

September 10, 2025

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