A NATIONAL MINING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE

A Concept Paper Developed by the National Minerals Partnership April 2013

Executive Summary
The purpose of this concept paper is to provide the rationale and justification for strong federal action to address our critical national need for increased investments in the extraction and processing of minerals. Coal and mineral concentrates produced by our mining industry were the foundation of a contribution of $2.1 trillion to our economy in 2011, 14.4% of our gross domestic product, according to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summary. Minerals are of strategic importance to our defense industry, the development of renewable energy resources, advanced manufacturing, and power generation. Our mining infrastructure has been in gradual decline since the elimination of focused federal mining support programs following the elimination of the U. S. Bureau of Mines in the mid-1990s; mining jobs have also declined. Our nation faces increased dependence on importing strategic minerals, reduced competitiveness in the international market for minerals, and reduced manufacturing capacity due to the unavailability of minerals. This paper makes recommendations for a multi-agency federal initiative focused on research, innovation, and workforce development, through partnership programs with the federal government, industry, labor, academe, and the environmental community. Benefits accruing to our nation include security of the supply chain for rare earth and strategic minerals, increased opportunities for revitalizing our manufacturing, energy and international trade sectors, and improved environmental stewardship and health & safety practices. Introduction The U.S. has been a leading mining nation for more than 100 years both in terms of output and the development of technology. Many key mining technologies were developed in the U.S. in areas such as geology, geophysics, underground mining, and mineral processing. Leadership came from both the industrial sector and from research organizations in government, universities and the private sector. Much of this infrastructure has disappeared or is in decline through mergers and acquisitions in industry, reduced funding from government, and from changing priorities, retirements and departmental closures in universities. Ironically, the importance of mining to the economy has not changed. However we no longer have the research and educational infrastructure to support this contribution. Other natural resource-based countries, such as Australia, have passed the U.S. in spending, and support for relevant research directed towards the mining industry. While the mining industry has enjoyed strong demand and prices over the last five to six years, there are unprecedented challenges facing the industry that will limit the Nations ability to meet rising demand. For the U.S., these challenges present problems that can, in part, be met through an expanded federal initiative focused on research, innovation, and workforce development through education and training.

R&D Challenges Facing the U.S. Mining Sector Although the U.S. mining sector faces a number of challenges as it moves into the 21st century, three stand out as major challenges: power usage, water usage and workforce development. Power Usage The mining industry consumes significant amounts of power resulting largely from the need to break, move, grind and process enormous amounts of rock. Providing efficient, appropriately priced, clean energy for the industry is a significant challenge exacerbated by other competing industrial and residential demands. Increasing prices of the raw materials needed to support our manufacturing, mining, and construction industries appear to be inevitable given commodity prices, but innovative ways to limit the cost of power could be a significant advantage for domestic mining. Efforts to reduce power consumption through improved efficiency and the introduction of new technologies are perhaps even more important than changes in the source of power. Seeking new methods of fragmentation and selective separation of valuable ore components would be game changing in the industry. The U.S. should play a leading role in this effort which will not only enhance competitiveness but also deliver new levels of environmental performance and sustainability. Major changes in mining methods are limited by the need to move vast amounts of rock. The main opportunities are the introduction of new electric or hybrid equipment and full automation. The latter is an enormous opportunity that will deliver benefits in performance, efficiencies, reduced maintenance, labor costs, people movement, and safety. Unfortunately, the U.S. is behind our international competitors in efforts to find synergies between IT, remote vehicle engineering, and mining, but we have the capacity to close the gap. Water Usage The mining industry is also a major user of water. Worldwide, we deal with issues related to either limited water or too much water. As a result, water management is critical. New technologies are needed to improve the use of water in processing, recycling of water, and treatment of water before release. Water issues influence the cost and management of tailings, the handling of waste rock, and the potential onset of acid rock drainage. This Nations academic sector has expertise in and access to a range of novel water treatment technologies, and to research groups that lead in areas of hydrogeology, water treatment, bioremediation, acid rock drainage, and natural CO2 sequestration. Standard methods of tailings disposal involve large amounts of water. New methods of handling tailings with much lower water consumption are being developed and are already used in some operations in other countries. A recently announced collaboration among Canadian oil sands operators to seek new approaches to tailings management is a strategic breakthrough that may deliver major new technologies for tailings in general and place Canada at the forefront of tailings management. Workforce Development Increasing demand for commodities has led to new mines, expanded production from existing operations, and numerous opportunities for skilled workers professionals and technical tradespeople. The need for people is exacerbated by demographic issues related to the rapidly retiring Page 2

baby boomers loss of skills and more importantly knowledge. To make matters worse, the decline in universities and colleges that previously educated employees for the mining industry places pressure on all operations to find, attract and train people. A new focus on education, directed at attracting a new generation of mining professionals is needed. In terms of R&D, the demographic issues cited above also have serious implications for the potential of the Nations research enterprise to deliver innovative solutions to the major technical issues facing the mining industry. In addition to employee challenges, the mining industry faces other major peoplerelated issues in terms of the approach to and engagement with communities. The U.S. has the potential to be a leader in constructive and productive community engagement related to mining but this goal requires both a proactive effort on behalf of industry and supportive social and technical R&D funding. Overview and Rationale for a National Mining Initiative This white paper proposes the creation of a revitalized partnership between the federal government, the private sector, and the academic research sector that would help the nation regain its competitive edge in todays international mining industry through the establishment of a National Mining Research and Education initiative. The concept for this initiative was developed by the National Minerals Partnership (NMP), a group of academic institutions dedicated to advancing U.S. national security and enhancing U.S. competitiveness by focusing on strengthening the academic sector involved in all aspects of mining. The membership includes the traditional mining schools identified by the SME (Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration) and other institutions whose programs include a focus on research, education, and training supportive of the mining industry. The present membership is identified in Attachment A. Need The U.S. domestic mining industry has fallen behind our international competitors due, in part, to the virtual elimination of support for mining research and education by the federal government and the private sector. This decline has nearly led to serious adverse consequences relative to national security, international competition, and job losses. Investment in a public-private partnership at a total funding level between $100 and $150 million annually would lead to new, lower-cost, highly-efficient, environmentally sound, safer and more advanced mining technologies that will help the U. S. to regain its economic competitiveness. Sustained and targeted efforts to further develop new methods, technologies, and practices can lead the way to a revitalization of the domestic mining sector, bringing back new jobs to be filled by an expanded and technically-trained workforce. This white paper recommends the following initiatives that are consistent with federal research and development policy objectives: (1) Supporting research that will expand the knowledge base and capabilities of our technical workforce to enable U.S. industry to successfully compete on the world stage Fostering the development of the energy-dependent economy in ways that take advantage of new technologies, new processes, and innovative environmental protection practices Supporting future job creation through the continued development of advanced and emerging technologies Protecting critical infrastructure both cyber-infrastructure and conventional infrastructure Improving the health and safety aspects of mining Promoting multidisciplinary research

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Developing the next generation of the scientific and technical workforce through support for graduate traineeships, mining extension training, and professional development activities Providing information that enables the development of mining and minerals policy initiatives

To carry out these public policy objectives and revitalize the Nations mining industry, the federal government must partner with industry and institutions of higher education to drive the innovation necessary to rebuild our domestic mining sector while also ensuring that our national security is not dependent upon the mineral exports of rival economies and governments. Impact of Mining Sector The U.S. economys dependence on minerals is increasing, especially in the growth sectors of the economy. Policy makers are increasing their focus on strengthening advanced manufacturing capabilities as a way to contribute to economic growth and increase the nations competitiveness on the global stage. Minerals are a critical component in any plan to revitalize our advanced manufacturing enterprise. It is widely recognized that federal investment in both basic and applied research and development (R&D) is a key to the growth and prosperity of mining industry in the United States. The current minerals mining industry and academic community have already suffered the consequences of this lack of investment. In 1978, the U.S. was more than 50% import dependent for twenty-five mineral commodities and 100% import dependent for only seven minerals.(2) By 2009, those numbers had increased to thirty-eight minerals with more than 50% import reliance and nineteen minerals with 100% import reliance.(3) Currently, the United States is 100% import dependent for all Rare Earth Elements (REEs).(4) A revitalized industry with new jobs and advanced technologies will depend heavily on the development and maintenance of a highlyeducated and well-trained workforce; maintenance of this workforce is a role universities can and should play if the federal government and the private sector provide joint support. International Competition The growth of international competition and the increase in environmental standards within the U.S. led to a lack of competitiveness by domestic producers of mined minerals. The ability of foreign companies, especially the Chinese mining industry, to flood the market with cheaper minerals is due in large part to the absence of labor force protection and environmental standards which further handicaps American industry. Currently, the Chinese control 97% of the mining and production of rare earth elements. (5) These minerals are key components in high-technology equipment including magnets, electronics, and many of Department of Defenses weapons programs. A Chinese monopoly in mining these metals is not only a threat to our own national security interests, but it also reinforces Chinese dominance in research, development, and the creation of a well-trained workforce in these areas. In addition, it also hinders our ability to develop and manufacture the type of high-technology machinery and instruments that lead to advances across all sectors of our domestic industries. Industry Contribution to Enhancement of Mining Sector While our domestic mining industry has been severely limited by this reduction in federal support and interest, it nonetheless stands ready to rebuild and help the Nation reclaim its security and economic independence. For example, Molycorp, the only U.S.-owned rare earth producer in the western hemisphere, recently reopened a facility in Mountain Pass, California. The new Page 4

technologies developed by Molycorp are leading the way for this renewed effort by the U.S. mining industry. Molycorps investments in research have paid off in developments that will dramatically reduce the toxic chemicals and water necessary for the removal of minerals and REEs from the earth. Such advances could lead to practices that vastly exceed current environmental standards and produce these necessary minerals for half the cost of the Chinese mines. Reduced environmental remediation costs would be an enormous competitive advantage and pose a unique opportunity for the establishment of a rebuilt U.S. mining sector. Molycorp has shown that private industry is ready and able to make a substantial financial contribution to advanced technologies and to rebuilding and educating the workforce that they will rely upon as the U.S. mining industry remakes itself. Molycorp has also called for the types of public sector investment and public-private partnerships that will make American mining safe, efficient, environmentally responsible, and secure in the future. Justifying Federal Support for Mining Research and Education Mining research and education, both key components of the mining value chain, have been in decline since the Bureau of Mines and its programs were abolished in the mid-1990s. This decline has reached the crisis stage now that many faculty and researchers are at or near retirement age and demand is increasing for a new generation of workers and technology. The world of mining is much different today than it was in the past and needs to evolve further. Our nation needs a 21st century approach to mining that is focused on research, innovation, environmental protection, and related STEM education. Mining has become more challenging as the richest deposits disappear and as environmental sensitivities increase. The mining industry is not research intensive and is unlikely to become so because mining research benefits a companys competitors as much as it benefits the company. In contrast, federal funding of mining research, through the Nations colleges and universities, makes sense because it leads to new knowledge and a technically trained workforce that will benefit the nations entire mining industry. Immediate Benefits A number of immediate economic and security-related benefits result from this initiative. Secure Supply Chain One of the most immediate benefits that renewed mining support and partnership initiatives provides is a secure resource for materials necessary to support national security interests. The ability and willingness of the Chinese to manipulate and prioritize the export, distribution, and supply of these REE minerals places the United States at a significant manufacturing, competitiveness, and national security disadvantage. It is paramount that our Nation takes the necessary steps to re-establish a competitive domestic supply chain that is driven by innovation, education, workforce training, and industrial participation. The resulting partnerships and advances will make the industry safer, cleaner, and more efficient. These innovations must be spurred by funding from the public sector as well as private sector investment in research, education, and workforce training. Impact on Manufacturing Sector The impact that a revamped domestic mining sector would have on U.S. manufacturing industries would also be immediate and significant. Dozens of minerals, including many of the REEs, are used in the manufacture of green energy products as well as high-technology scientific equipment. The current fossil fuel driven energy sector, as well as the growing green energy sector, relies heavily on products that are created using these elements and minerals. ManufacPage 5

tured goods such as batteries, electric cars, wind and water turbines, lasers, and superconductors all depend on reliable access to affordable minerals and rare earth elements. Our Nations ability to lead the way in the alternative energy field and to secure our energy future will be determined by our access to these elements and minerals at a competitive price. It is no coincidence that China is the country leading the way in high-technology and green energy manufacturing and is also the country that currently controls the vast majority of the Earths supply of these essential elements and minerals. A renewal in the U.S. mining sector would spur growth across many of our domestic manufacturing industries, bringing high-technology and manufacturing jobs back to the United States and reducing our trade gap at the same time. This new growth in green manufacturing will lower the costs of alternative energy, allowing the U.S. to cut fossil fuel imports from foreign, and sometimes hostile, countries and to further secure our Nations energy supply. Domestic Fuel Industry The domestic fossil fuel industry, as a whole, has much to gain from these partnerships and advances in mining as well. The coal industry is an integral part of the U.S. minerals mining sector. Advances in safety, cleanliness, and new mining techniques and technologies can make coal an indefinite source of domestic energy while meeting our environmental and public health concerns directly. The coal industry stands ready and is eager to participate with other mineral sectors, through endeavors like centers of excellence and public-private partnerships. Such efforts will produce the technical advances and the trained workforce necessary to push U.S. mining back to the forefront with new technologies, enhanced environmental stewardship, and improved safety. Because there is overlap between the technologies and techniques used in mineral mining and for oil and natural gas production, the technology spillover from these joint scientific research projects would be significant. Congressional and Administration Interests The negative impact of foreign domination has led to a growing concern within the U.S. government that recognizes the importance of addressing our near-total reliance on foreign sources of REEs and other minerals. In the 112th Congress alone, there were 10 separate bills introduced in the House or Senate that directly addressed the need for progress in this area. There also exists substantial support within the executive branch, including the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Interior, as well as the White House, to make immediate progress on securing a reliable domestic pipeline of essential minerals for use in U.S. manufacturing sectors across the board. Supporting a public-private research mechanism that will fuel the creation of a domestic supply of elements and minerals is an important step toward revitalizing the U.S. mining industry as well as countless other U.S. manufacturing and industrial sectors. The advanced technologies and materials produced by improved public and industry support will provide the necessary resources for immediate and substantial improvements in national security, defensive and offensive technologies, energy independence, cleaner and more efficient energy, as well as new developments and job growth in high-technology and green energy sectors. These elements and minerals are a cornerstone to U.S. economic growth that will reach across many major domestic industries. Oversight of a National Program in Mining Research and Education Appropriate oversight of any new federal program should be well-thought out in advance of the programs initiation. Such oversight includes the following components.

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Presidential Leadership An initial step in this effort would be for the President, through the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to establish an interagency mining research and education committee under the auspices of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). This action would provide a forum for the coordination and development of interagency policy and programmatic objectives. NSTC Committee Membership Membership on this NSTC committee could include: Department of Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and other appropriate federal agencies. This is consistent with a recommendation of the National Research Councils (NRC) Committee on Critical Mineral Impacts on the U.S. Economy. That report recommended several federal agencies develop and fund activities, including basic science and policy research, to encourage U.S. innovation in the critical minerals and materials areas andto use programs involving academic organizations, industry, and government to enhance education and applied science.(11) Advisory Committee Along with this NSTC inter-agency committee, there should be a broad-based advisory committee whose membership should include representatives of the mining industry, leading educators, relevant scientists and engineers, and environmental, health, and safety experts. This advisory committee should provide advice and other assistance to the NSTC mining research and education committee. Lead Federal Agency The initiative would be managed by a lead federal agency (e.g., the Department of Energy or other agency skilled at interagency program coordination). Federal agencies whose missions would be served by participating and supporting research on specific topics and contributing to overall workforce development would be expected to partner and co-fund relevant programmatic initiatives. Elements of the National Program in Mining Research and Education Work conducted under the National Program will focus on five thematic areas: Advanced Technology, Environmental, Health & Safety, Workforce Development, and Policy. Collaborations will be established with federal agencies that have programmatic missions in the five theme areas. Representatives from academe, industry, labor, and the environmental community will participate in the various projects conducted. The programs in these five thematic areas will address research, education, and outreach initiatives as described below. Research Research conducted under the national program is broadly categorized by three program elements supporting individual research projects, research and technology centers, and infrastructure development through support for mining research instrumentation. Individual Research Project Support: This element will provide competitive, meritbased grant support for research into a wide range of technology interests including mine systems; rock mechanics and ground control; mineral/coal processing; energy and the Page 7

environment; materials and manufacturing; underground science and engineering; geology and geological engineering; geophysics; metallurgical and materials engineering; chemistry, physics, and engineering of energy conversion processes; high performance computing; polymeric materials; excavation technology; civil engineering; research in the fields of conventional electric power and energy systems and machinery; renewable energy resources; distributed power generation; energy economics and policy; power electronics and power quality; bio-environmental science and engineering; ground water modeling and advanced water treatment and processing; risk assessment; mine health and safety issues; and possibly others. Criteria to be used for evaluating the merit and appropriateness of research proposals will be developed by the lead federal agency based on advice provided by the proposed OSTP interagency mining research and education committee. Regional Cooperative Mining Research and Technology Development Centers: This elements objective would be to support the development of long-term partnerships among industry, academe, and government through the establishment of regionallyfocused cooperative mining research and technology development centers. The centers could be initiated by a five-year commitment from the lead federal agency. The initial award could be followed by another potential five-year renewal if sufficient progress has been made to support such an extension. Following the ten-year grant period, Centers will strive to be primarily supported by industry members and sponsors, with the lead federal agency continuing to play a supporting role in the development and the evolution of the Center. Each Center will be established to conduct research that is of interest to both the industry members and the academic partners. Mining Research Instrumentation: The Mining Research Instrumentation element serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education, museums, science centers, and not-for-profit organizations. This program especially seeks to improve the quality and expand the scope of mining research and mining research training in science and engineering by providing shared instrumentation that fosters the integration of mining research and education in research-intensive learning environments. Development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use would be encouraged, as would development efforts that leverage the strengths of private sector partners to build instrument development capacity at academic institutions.

Education Under the educational aspects of the National Program, opportunities will be established to enhance the mining workforce through two targeted program elements designed to enhance graduate student and undergraduate student populations in areas pertinent to the mining industry. Mining Research Graduate Traineeship Program: This element would meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers with interdisciplinary backgrounds, thereby graduating students with substantial knowledge in mining-related disciplines and with relevant technical and professional skills. The element would establish new models for graduate education and training in an environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It will also facilitate diversity in student participation and preparation. In addition, it will contribute to a world-class, yet broadly inclusive and globally-engaged science and engineering workPage 8

force, which is essential to the future health and well-being of the mining industry. This program will support new models in graduate education and create an environment that supports collaboration with industry. By providing hands-on experience, students will learn how their own research and technology improvements may contribute to and benefit society. Undergraduate Research Experiences in Mining: This program will support active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research relevant to the National Mining Research and Education Program. Projects will involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for this program.

Outreach Outreach activities will be conducted through programs designed to increase coordination among various research groups and partnerships between researchers and industry to ensure that technology developed under the National Program is both relevant and implemented in practice. These activities are described below. Mining Research Coordination Networks: This element will work to advance a field or to create new directions in mining research or education. Support will be provided to groups of investigators who will communicate and coordinate their research, training, and educational activities by working across disciplinary, organizational, geographic, and international boundaries. This element will provide opportunities to foster new collaborations, including industry partnerships, and will address interdisciplinary topics important for the future health and well-being of the Nations mining industry. Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies, collaborative technologies, and the development of community standards for data and meta-data are especially encouraged. Proposed networking activities should focus on an important issue related to mining and minerals. This focus will give coherence to the collaboration by addressing either a broad research question or a particular technology or approach. Mining Partnerships for Innovation: This element will contain two complementary programmatic efforts: Technology Translation and Research Alliances. First, Technology Translation, will encourage the translation of technologically-promising research discoveries, and move those technologies forward on a path toward commercialization. Second, Research Alliances will promote synergistic collaborations between an existing academic research entity and other public and private entities to motivate the translation and transfer of research discoveries into innovative technologies useful for the mining industry. It is essential that technologies developed in the advanced research program be suitable for deployment by industry leaders and the working miners.

Conceptual Funding for Multi-Year Mining Research and Education Program The table below is for illustrative purposes only and suggests how funding might be distributed among the proposed research, education, and outreach initiatives over time.

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Illustration of Funding Distribution for National Program Year 1 ($M)

55
15 20 20

Program Elements
Research
Individual Research Project Support Regional Cooperative Mining Research and Technology Development Centers Mining Research Instrumentation

Year 2 ($M)
70
20 30 20

Year 3 ($M)
75
25 30 20

Year 4 ($M)
85
30 35 20

Education
Mining Research Graduate Traineeship Program Undergraduate Research Experiences in Mining

25
15 10

40
25 15

45
30 15

50
35 15

Outreach
Mining Research Coordination Networks Mining Partnerships for Innovation

20
10 10

30
20 10

30
20 10

30
20 10

Total Annual Funding ($M)

100

140

150

165

We recommend incremental funding for research programs during the start-up period. In this way, we can fund new starts on a yearly basis to respond to evolving opportunities rather than having a step turnover of projects on a longer time scale. For educational programs, we recommend increasing funding over the first few years since we will need to support several years worth of students in the pipeline under steady conditions. Concluding Comments and Recommendations Mining research, education and outreach, key components of the mining value chain, have been in decline since the Bureau of Mines and its programs were abolished in the mid-1990s. This decline has reached the crisis stage now that many faculty and researchers are at or near retirement age and demand is increasing for a new generation of workers and technology. The world of mining is much different today than it was in the past and needs to evolve further. Our nation needs a 21st century approach to mining that is focused on research, innovation, environmental protection, and related STEM education. The mining industry is not research intensive and is unlikely to become so because mining research benefits a companys competitors as much as it benefits the company. In contrast, federal funding of mining research, through the Nations colleges and universities, is appropriate and necessary because it leads to the creation of new knowledge, processes, and technologies as well as a technically trained workforce that will benefit the competitiveness of the nations entire mining industry. Page 10

The National Minerals Partnership recommends that a national mining research and education initiative be established that includes federal participation and support and involvement of the industry, labor, academic, and environmental community sectors. Benefits to our nation include security of supply of essential minerals that drive our overall economy and the development of a mining sector that can compete in international markets. The following persons may be contacted for additional information regarding these recommendations.

Ronald J. White, Ph.D. Vice President for Research South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Rapid City, South Dakota 57701 605-394-2493 Ronald.White@sdsmt.edu Richard A. Bajura, Ph.D. Director National Research Center for Coal and Energy West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 26506-6064 304-293-6034 Richard.Bajura@mail.wvu.edu

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References Innovation for Americas Economy, Americas Energy, and American Skills Science, Technology, Innovation and STEM Education in the 2013 Budget; Office of Science and Technology Policy, February 13, 2012. (2) Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Spring 2010 Industry Study Final Report Strategic Materials Industry, p. 15; citing U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2010, pp. 5-15. (3) Id. (4) CRS Report, Rare Earth Elements: The Global Supply Chain, by Mark Humphries, September 6, 2011 p. 2 (5) Id. at p. 10 and Annual Industrial Capacities Report to Congress, Department of Defense, September 2011. (6) See USBM Technology Transfer Office, U.S. Bureau of Mines Cooperative Research Opportunities, Report Nos: BUMINES-SP-03-95, April 1995 (Available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS)) (7) Id. See also National Academies of Science, Commission on Geosciences, Environment and Resources (CGER), Research Programs of the U.S. Bureau of Mines: First Assessment, 1994 (1994) http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9206&page=R1 (8) Id. (9) Id. (10) Id. (11) National Academies of Science, Board on Earth Sciences and Resources (BESR), Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy (2008) at p. 221 http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12034&page=R1 (1)

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Attachment A Members of the National Minerals Partnership

Colorado School of Mines Michigan Technological University Missouri University of Science & Technology Montana Tech of the University of Montana New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology Pennsylvania State University Prairie View A&M University South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Southern Illinois University at Carbondale University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Arizona University of Idaho University of Kentucky University of Minnesota Duluth University of Nevada, Reno University of Pittsburgh University of South Carolina University of Texas at El Paso University of Utah Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University West Virginia University Page 13

J:\_DYNAMIC\Multi University Initiative\Mining White Paper\April White Paper File\Newest Version\Mining Initiative Concept Paper 04092013.docx

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