Critical Minerals

Two Mines faculty members testified before congressional committees and commissions on the nation’s critical mineral challenges, underscoring the university’s leadership across geology, mining, processing, economics and policy.

Colorado School of Mines is opening a 50,000-square-foot facility in Golden to support university-industry-government-startup partnerships that drive innovation and accelerate commercialization

Critical minerals drive clean energy, but a new commentary in Nature Energy urges “just-shoring” to ensure supply chains protect communities and support an equitable transition

Colorado School of Mines names Alicia Polo y La Borda Cavero to lead its critical minerals strategy, bridging the gap between world-class research and global industry needs.

Mines critical minerals experts are ready to handle media questions about the extraction and processing of these important elements.

Colorado School of Mines licenses rare earth element tech to boost U.S. processing efficiency and support critical mineral supply chains.

Mines’ Walt Copan urges U.S. leadership in critical minerals innovation, calling for coordinated strategy and investment in advanced mining.

Mines experts are advancing U.S. critical minerals policy discussions with data-driven insight, shaping energy, security and workforce innovation.

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.