| Colorado School of Mines

School of Mines Professor Thomas Albrecht discusses Iran's nuclear program

In the wake of the U.S. attack on nuclear sites in Iran, Thomas Albrecht, professor of chemistry, discusses that country's efforts to refine uranium. Albrecht says there's no non-military rationale for the Iranians to refine the mineral to 60 percent.

June 24, 2025

Despite Iran conflict, oil companies are unlikely to heed the president's call to "drill, baby, drill"

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, says that despite a volatile situation in the Middle East, drilling levels aren't likely to change because there hasn't been a significant change in the oil supply and demand equation.

June 23, 2025

Modified bacteria convert plastic waste into pain reliever

Dylan Domaille, an associate professor in the chemistry, said demonstrating that bacteria can turn plastic waste into something useful could motivate efforts to make breaking down plastics more scalable and sustainable.

June 23, 2025

Republican moves threaten US fossil fuel industry

Stephen Sonnenberg, professor of geology and geologic engineering, says the U.S. has at least a 100 year supply of natural gas. He says that supply could double as alternative energy sources kick in.

June 23, 2025

What the old lead belt can teach Missouri about critical minerals mining

Nicole Smith, associate professor in mining engineering, says people who have lived around mining activity previously are "cautiously optimistic" about the impact of a new focus on critical minerals mining. She said boom and bust cycles and associated environmental degradation are a cause for the mixed feelings people have.

June 20, 2025