NLR Partners With Colorado School of Mines and University of Utah To Scale Up US Critical Minerals Capacity

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) has formalised partnerships with the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Utah through memorandums of understanding aimed at enhancing the United States’ critical minerals capacity. Announced at NLR’s Partner Forum in early May 2026, these agreements focus on advancing innovation, commercialisation, and workforce development within critical mineral supply chains, which are vital for energy security and technological progress. The collaboration seeks to integrate research efforts and share facilities to accelerate the development of scalable solutions for the energy sector. Central to the partnership with the Colorado School of Mines is the establishment of two major facilities: NLR’s Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS) and the school’s Critical Minerals Innovation and Commercialization Hub. These state-of-the-art centres will provide extensive laboratory and high-bay space for joint research, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government. The shared resources and coordinated programmes aim to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and market-ready technologies, while also cultivating a skilled workforce to support the critical minerals industry. The University of Utah collaboration emphasises cutting-edge research through the application of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and data science to critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. This partnership will facilitate joint research initiatives and promote knowledge exchange among university researchers, industry stakeholders, and national laboratories. Additionally, it will offer educational programmes, internships, and career pathways designed to prepare students for roles in this strategically important sector. Leaders from all institutions highlighted the strategic importance of these partnerships in strengthening the nation’s energy resilience and competitiveness. Jud Virden, NLR’s director, underscored the mission to de-risk technologies and build robust supply chains, while Colorado School of Mines President Paul C. Johnson and University of Utah President Taylor Randall emphasised the value of combining research excellence with workforce development. The agreements reflect a broader effort to position the US as a leader in critical minerals research and innovation, ensuring long-term security and sustainability in energy materials. Looking ahead, these collaborations are expected to catalyse further funding opportunities and deepen ties between academia, industry, and government agencies. By leveraging complementary expertise and facilities, NLR and its partners aim to accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into practical applications. The partnerships also represent a significant step towards building a highly skilled domestic workforce capable of meeting the demands of the evolving energy and materials landscape.