US Department of Energy grants $73M to advance domestic mining technology

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) this week selected four projects for $73 million in funding through DOE’s Mine of the Future initiative to establish domestic testing grounds for innovative mining technologies.

The projects will accelerate the commercialization of mining technologies, upgrade domestic mining capabilities, and build on the US’ mission to secure America’s critical minerals supply chains, CMEI said.

“Investing in moving cutting-edge mining technologies out of the lab and into the field will help unleash America’s vast mineral resources,” US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a news release.

“These investments will prove that American innovation can redefine what’s possible in modern mining,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. “By establishing world class testing grounds, we’re accelerating breakthroughs that will strengthen our supply chains, our workforce, and our national competitiveness.”

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