UAF Receives $7.5M Grant for Critical Mineral Research

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has been awarded a significant grant by the US Department of Energy to explore the critical mineral potential in Alaska, marking a crucial step towards reducing the country's reliance on foreign mineral sources.

The $7.5 million grant is part of a broader federal initiative aimed at boosting the domestic production of critical minerals, as the US currently imports half of its critical minerals from other countries. Alaska is a promising prospect for critical mineral extraction, with all but one of the 50 critical minerals found in the state. Researchers at UAF will focus on extracting critical minerals from mine tailings, which can contain valuable minerals. Initial findings have already shown high levels of tungsten, germanium, and yttrium at the Usibelli Coal Mine, and an estimated $2.8 billion worth of metals in the Greens Creek Mine's tailings pile.

The project will also involve addressing logistical challenges, such as transporting the extracted minerals to market, which is hindered by Alaska's remote location and extreme terrain. The next steps will include engaging with local communities and investing in infrastructure to support critical mineral mining projects. Meanwhile, the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources has also received a $7.5 million grant to lead a regional coalition expanding the domestic supply of critical minerals and materials in the Great Plains and Interior Highlands.

The initiatives are set to accelerate the development of critical mineral and materials supply chains, with the ultimate goal of reducing the country's reliance on foreign sources and promoting resource independence. The projects will build on previous work and cover multiple states, including Wyoming, North Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and secure critical mineral supply chain.