Subsurface

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.

Student researchers in Mines' Mineral and Energy Economics Program are delving into topics from geopolitics and supply chain risks to artisanal mining and responsible sourcing related to the global critical minerals landscape.

Reza Hedayat, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Mines, sees mine tailings — the material left over from everyday mining operations — not as waste and a growing environmental concern but an opportunity.

Mines and the US Geological Survey are deepening their critical minerals partnership with a new shared research facility opening in 2027.

With expertise in critical minerals mining, policy, economics and community engagement, researchers at Colorado School of Mines are helping chart a path to strengthened national resilience and resource independence.

A book written by current and former Colorado Geological Survey geologists has been recognized with a 2025 Colorado Book Award. “Land of Ice: Jaunts Into Colorado's Glacial Landscape,” written by

The findings, published in the journal Science, show that improved recovery of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements currently being discarded as tailings of other mineral streams could meet the U.S. demand for energy, defense and technology applications.

Mines Geophysics Professor Brandon Dugan is co-chief scientist on the international expedition, a collaboration between the International Ocean Drilling Programme and U.S. National Science Foundation.

Mines experts explain wildfire impact from emergency notification to debris flows to snowpack loss, highlighting post-fire recovery.

As demand for critical minerals grows, Mines is driving innovation in sustainable mining through research, education and hands-on training.