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Molybdenum mine in the mountains seen from above

Media tip sheet: Economics of critical minerals

September 9, 2025
The outsized role critical minerals play in defense and renewable energy applications fuels much of the attention on this sector now. China has raced ahead of the rest of the world in mining, refining
speakers at table during Critical Minerals Report release

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

September 9, 2025
The 2025 State of Critical Minerals Report from the Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines underscores opportunities to strengthen U.S. mineral security through smarter investment in refining, processing, byproduct recovery and recycling.
Carbon Capture and Storage

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

September 8, 2025
A new paper in Nature Communications calls on energy developers to incorporate state-of-art knowledge to ensure decarbonization projects benefit the communities that choose to host them.
two female students wearing orange ear muffs conducting experiment in lab

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

September 5, 2025
Leslie Lamberson, director of the Extreme Structures & Materials (X-STRM) Laboratory, is a co-principal investigator for the new Center for Simulation and design of Heterogeneous Architectures for Performance and Energy absorption (SHAPE).
Aerial photo of Climax Mine with white clouds and a blue sky.

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

September 5, 2025
Student researchers in Mines' Mineral and Energy Economics Program are delving into topics from geopolitics and supply chain risks to artisanal mining and responsible sourcing related to the global critical minerals landscape.
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.

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

September 4, 2025
Reza Hedayat, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Mines, sees mine tailings — the material left over from everyday mining operations — not as waste and a growing environmental concern but an opportunity.
Architectural rendering of a contemporary, multi-story academic research facility with large windows, an open courtyard, and landscaped pathways with people walking and interacting.

Mines and US Geological Survey expand critical minerals and energy research partnership with new joint facility

September 3, 2025
Mines and the US Geological Survey are deepening their critical minerals partnership with a new shared research facility opening in 2027.
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

September 2, 2025
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.
drone shot of marv kay stadium with mount zion in background

A Mines Athletics primer: Everything you need to know about the Orediggers

September 2, 2025
Since 1972, the athletics program at Colorado School of Mines has tallied 214 Academic All-Americans, more than any other NCAA Division II program – and that's just the beginning of the Oredigger story as the NCAA kicks off its 2025-26 season.
Land of Snow and Ice

Land of Ice: Jaunts Into Colorado’s Glacial Landscape wins Colorado Book Award

August 29, 2025
A book written by current and former Colorado Geological Survey geologists has been recognized with a 2025 Colorado Book Award. “Land of Ice: Jaunts Into Colorado's Glacial Landscape,” written by