Exploring Alaska’s critical mineral potential is a whopping $9.4 million federal-funded programme

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.”