US NSF Could Provide Up to US$160 Million for Alaska Critical Minerals Exploration and Processing

The US National Science Foundation announced that the University of Alaska Fairbanks-led Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine will receive US$15 million during its first two years. Subject to performance milestones and future appropriations, total funding could reach as much as US$160 million over the next decade.

The initiative will support technologies across mineral exploration, extraction, processing and purification, including artificial intelligence, advanced geoscience and microbial mining methods. Alaska hosts occurrences of 56 of the 60 minerals classified as critical by the US Geological Survey and is home to the Red Dog zinc-lead mine and numerous polymetallic prospects. Industry participants include Alaska Silver, whose Illinois Creek project hosts silver- and gallium-rich galena mineralisation. The programme is expected to support exploration, processing innovation and workforce development for Alaska’s zinc, lead and other critical mineral resources.