Secure minerals, stronger future

The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Institute of Northern Engineering (INE) is reimagining mineral extraction to power America’s clean energy future. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Alaska State Legislature, INE is leading the Alaska Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) initiative.

Why Alaska CORE-CM matters

Alaska holds 49 of the 50 U.S.-listed critical minerals and has some of the richest underexplored geology in the nation.

With over 11 high-potential sites — including Red Dog Mine, Greens Creek, and Graphite Creek — Alaska is positioned to be a cornerstone of America’s mineral independence.

With funding through the National Energy Technology Laboratory and with a significant investment from the State of Alaska, the University of Alaska is one of 13 Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) centers established by the U.S. Department of Energy. We are working closely with the Alaska Division of Geologic and Geophysical Survey to perform a set of broad basinal assessments of critical minerals in Alaska.

Our work in action

INE’s research is bold, scalable, and aligned with national goals in defense, infrastructure, and energy security.

Projects include:

• Bioseparation: Engineered microbes extract rare earths without toxic waste.
• Supercritical CO₂ extraction: Cleaner, low-waste REE extraction from coal ash.
• Hyperspectral imaging: Remote sensing for surface mineral scouting.
• AI for exploration: Machine learning to locate mineral hotspots across Alaska’s vast terrain.

Smart materials, smarter strategy

We’re turning industrial byproducts into value-added solutions:

• Coal fly ash to cement: A new cement alternative that reduces shipping costs and emissions.
• Carbon ore to construction materials: Advancing sustainable infrastructure across Alaska.

Critical Minerals Laboratory

Our new high-precision lab features LA-ICP-MS technology for trace-level elemental analysis, supporting industry needs and advancing CORE-CM goals.

Partner with us

INE works with mining operations, industry leaders, and state agencies to develop solutions that are deployable, sustainable, and regionally informed.

Contact

Brent J. Sheets
Director, Petroleum Development Lab
907-750-0650
bjsheets2@alaska.edu

Institute for Northern Engineering
PO Box 755960 Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5960
907-474-7730
uaf-cem@alaska.edu

Funding

This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0032050 and by the Alaska State Legislature.

Additional information on Alaska CORE-CM Phase 1 can be found at akminerals.alaska.edu.