Alaska boasts deposits of 49 of the 50 minerals deemed critical to the United States economy, national security, and clean energy ambitions. Yet, many of these vital resources do not reside within traditional ore deposits. Instead, they are often byproducts of conventionally mined metals such as copper, gold, silver, and zinc or are associated with vast coal and carbon ore reserves scattered across the state.
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To unlock Alaska’s potential as a major domestic supplier of critical minerals, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $7.5 million to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). This funding will support regional-scale assessments of critical minerals across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, which includes the states of Oregon and Washington.
The initiative is part of a broader US$ 45 million investment targeting six regions across the United States, from Alaska to the Appalachian Mountains.
According to Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, “This funding aims to rebuild the domestic supply chain for critical minerals, enhancing national security while fostering clean energy and industrial growth.”
From coal to critical minerals
The DOE’s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative focuses on unconventional sources of critical minerals, such as coal byproducts, wastewater from oil and gas extraction, and acid mine drainage. This second phase of CORE-CM shifts from investigating individual coal basins to exploring critical mineral potential at a regional scale.
Region 8, encompassing Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, will play a pivotal role among the six regions included in this expanded programme. UAF, supported by $7.5 million in DOE funds and an additional $1.9 million from other sources, seeks to position this region as a leader in environmentally sustainable critical mineral production.
Mapping untapped potential in Region 8
The UAF-led project aims to identify and prioritise critical mineral sites within Region 8, which covers approximately 22 per cent of the United States yet remains underexplored for its mineral potential. In collaboration with geological surveys from Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, UAF will compile and analyse historical geological data, examine existing samples, and collect new ones from promising sites.
“This project will unite the three State Geological Surveys, supported by universities and other partners, to analyse this data, collect new data, and begin assessing and characterising this largely untapped potential,” stated UAF in its funding proposal.
Mining and exploration companies in the region are keen to contribute samples for evaluation. The next phase will focus on characterising these materials to develop economically viable and environmentally friendly processing methods.
Community engagement and workforce development
The project emphasises community engagement and workforce development to foster a sustainable critical minerals sector. UAF plans to inform Indigenous communities and local stakeholders about the programme’s progress and solicit feedback through an online portal.
On the workforce front, the Region 8 CORE-CM team will collaborate with universities, vocational schools, and colleges to design educational programmes tailored to career paths in critical mineral exploration, mining, and processing. A proposed Technology Innovation Centre will serve as a hub for research, industry collaboration, and environmental justice initiatives, ensuring that development efforts align with regional needs and opportunities.
Shaping a sustainable future
Through collaboration with industry, academia, and communities, UAF aspires to make Region 8 synonymous with innovative, environmentally responsible critical mineral production. The initiative’s focus on unconventional feedstocks, community engagement, and advanced workforce training is a testament to the region’s potential to contribute significantly to America’s economic and energy resilience.
By spearheading efforts in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, UAF is not only addressing national priorities but also paving the way for a cleaner, more secure energy future—one critical mineral at a time.
