Critical Minerals Lab Update: Progress and Milestones

The Critical Minerals Lab has made significant strides toward full functionality for Alaska’s industry and research:

Instrumentation installed

• ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, and a microwave digester are operational.

Performance testing

• Our technicians, Piper Kramer and Marcus Cogley, have validated the ICP-MS and are optimizing LA-ICP-MS methods.

Industry collaboration

• The lab collaborated with a local mine on water sample analysis validation against commercial instrumentation and passed all tests.

Sample preparation progress:

• A jaw crusher is being installed in Duckering 125, with plans to add a ring crusher once circuits are reallocated.
• Additional equipment arriving by March 2025 will enable ore sample processing and recovery testing.

Coming Soon:
A ribbon-cutting and open house is planned this winter, coordinated with legislative and Board of Regents schedules. The lab is on track to become a vital resource for Alaska’s industry and research community.

Stay tuned for updates!

Image top: Research technician Piper Kramer is analyzing samples in the INE Critical Minerals Lab.