The Colorado School of Mines and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are partnering to tackle essential geological and mineral resource issues that impact economic and national security. A new research facility set to open on the Mines campus in 2027 aims to strengthen this collaboration, focusing on critical minerals.
Critical minerals are vital for various technologies, with changing demand influencing their development. The new USGS Energy and Minerals Research Facility will include around 20 laboratories and accommodate about 70 Mines researchers alongside 200 USGS specialists. This centralization will facilitate joint projects in a more efficient manner.
Terri Hogue, dean of earth and society programs at Mines, noted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “People recognize there’s a synergy between critical minerals and energy.” The facility will allow researchers to work closely, enhancing opportunities for innovative mineral and energy solutions.
Mathias Burisch-Hassel, an associate professor at Mines, emphasized the benefits of shared space, suggesting that “the more the merrier.” The facility will support diverse research activities, including the study of mineral samples and geologic processes related to critical minerals.
The partnership also includes the Colorado Geological Survey, which is conducting significant surveys to assess the economic availability of critical minerals. State geologist Matt Morgan mentioned, “These Earth MRI projects are producing high-value public data sets” that will advance the understanding of mineral potentials in Colorado.
The new facility is expected to enhance collaboration between academic and USGS researchers, ultimately contributing to research that benefits public interests related to mineral security.
