About AK Minerals

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is strongly supporting efforts to spur regional economic growth and job creation by realizing the full potential value of critical minerals and rare earth elements.

CORE-CM research

DOE has selected the University of Alaska as one of 13 Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Centers across the country to conduct research on resource extraction, resource processing, and manufacturing of high-value, nonfuel, carbon-based products. An objective is to accelerate the development of carbon ores and critical minerals. Of the thirteen Centers DOE is funding, Alaska has the only Center that covers all the geologic basins in a state. The other 12 centers are focused on specific, well-developed basins.

Because we Alaskans know that our state’s critical minerals and rare earth elements are going to be in high demand and, because we have a window of opportunity to plan, the state wants to ensure we think strategically about what this industry could look like and how it will best benefit Alaskans. The state government has joined with the federal government in providing funding to the University of Alaska, led by University of Alaska Fairbanks, to further the strategic establishment of a CORE-CM industry in Alaska.

Research Partners

•  University of Alaska Fairbanks Institute of Northern Engineering
• Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS)
• University of Alaska Anchorage
• Green Leaf Carbon Technologies
• JWP Consulting, LLC
• Technology Holding, LLC
• ESP Research, Inc.
• Ahtna, Inc.

Industry Partners

• Ucore Rare Metals
• Graphite One Inc.
• Usibelli Coal Mine

Funding

• U.S. Department of Energy - National Energy Technology Laboratory
• Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Initiative for U.S. Basins, DE-FE0032050