The NEXT with Kyle Clark program on 9NEWS ask Mines students participating in the E-Days Ore Cart Pull "what's your good news?"

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, discusses falling oil prices. Bazilian says a weakening economy, like the U.S. is currently experiencing, will drive oil prices down.

Timm Strathmann, professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, believes that although the new process is innovative, environmental and economic analysis will be required before the method is ready for commercial development.

Ian Lange, associate professor, Economics and Business, is interviewed on how U.S. mining companies are reacting to tariffs coming out of the Trump administration. Lange said that some mining firms have been lobbying for the tariffs, but that the result of the new taxes may not be positive for them.

Ian Lange, associate professor, Economics and Business, is interviewed about oil prices. He notes that recent price drops impact the U.S. more because it is, thanks to the shale revolution, the largest producer of oil.

Corby Anderson, Harrison Western Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, discusses the history of treating calcopyrite to make copper.

Longtime Golden resident John Akal shares his love for Mines' upcoming western-themed E-Days and details what's planned for the 2025 E-Days.

Todd McLean, managing director, Business Enterprises, Mines Foundation, said about $3 million has been raised so far for the Mines Venture Fund I and he hopes to add $7 million more by the end of the year.

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, explains that minerals are vital for energy transition and that only through the domestic production of the minerals will the U.S. obtain the security it is seeking.

In this opinion piece, Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, and Brad Handler, program manager for Payne's Energy Finance Lab, discuss the role that private investors and lenders play in the production of critical minerals.