Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) has awarded $73 million to four projects under the Mine of the Future initiative. These projects will create domestic testbeds for innovative mining technologies, accelerating commercialization and strengthening mining capabilities in the U.S. The initiative supports efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains vital to energy, manufacturing, and national security.
Recipients include Innovative Wireless Technologies, Inc. of West Virginia, which will develop a national testbed spanning Colorado and Virginia to validate digital, connectivity, and automation solutions in real mining conditions.
The University of Arizona will establish an underground testbed in Sahuarita, Arizona, to advance mining, electrification, and energy management technologies focused on reducing risks and increasing productivity.
The Curators of the University of Missouri plan to develop a multifunctional proving ground in Rolla, Missouri, integrating underground testing and advanced comminution research to drive innovation and workforce development in next-generation mining technologies.
Together, these projects aim to move advanced mining technologies from the lab to practical application, enhancing U.S. competitiveness and reducing reliance on foreign critical minerals.