Earth Exploration

Mines PhD students win NASA grants to study ocean waves and Antarctic tides, uncovering new insights into Earth’s dynamic systems.

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.

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.

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

In the 1960s, scientists were quite surprised when they looked at their data: it clearly showed that there was fresh or freshened water under the ocean floor. How did it get there? How long has it

The Center for Mining Sustainability will fund four new research projects focused on rare earth minerals, aquifer management, nature-based water treatment and the repurposing of mine tailings.