14 JULY 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Critical Mineral Research Coalition in Appalachia Adapted from Information by Virginia Tech Virginia Tech is leading a collaborative research initiative focused on uncovering the hidden potential of the Appalachian Mountain region. This coalition is dedicated to expediting the discovery and analysis of unconventional critical mineral resources across the area. The research team, headed by Richard Bishop, a Professor in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering and researcher at the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, is set to receive nearly $10 million for the project. This initiative is part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) program, which aims to create regional coalitions to accelerate the development of critical mineral supply chains derived from unconventional resources. Named Expand Appalachia CORE-CM, it is a key component of a larger federal initiative aimed at decreasing reliance on imported critical minerals while bolstering domestic supply chains. The program seeks to promote the advancement of costeffective and environmentally sustainable methods for the production, and refinement of critical minerals and materials within the United States. “We're identifying critical minerals that can be recovered from unconventional resources,” said Bishop. “By unconventional, we mean innovative sources that haven't been fully explored or considered before. These critical minerals are essential for alternative energy applications, such as solar panels and electric vehicles, as well as for components in modern electronics like smartphones, batteries, and semiconductors.” The project builds upon Bishop’s earlier initiative, the Evolve Central Appalachia project funded by the DOE, focused on developing strategies to unlock the economic potential of the Central Appalachia coal basin for producing rare earth elements, critical minerals, and high-value, nonfuel carbon-based products. The team conducted an extensive analysis, collecting over 700 geological and mine waste samples to determine the region’s potential. The Expand Appalachia project adopts a similar methodology but broadens its geographic focus and the range of resources being examined. This new study area encompasses 11 states across the greater Appalachia region, stretching from Tennessee to Maine. Collaborating with project partners and industry stakeholders, the team will gather and analyze a variety of materials and legacy mine waste samples to assess mineral structure and concentration levels. The initiative will target both coal and noncoal resources, as well as power generation facilities and other unconventional sources of critical minerals throughout the region. The team will evaluate the regional infrastructure, including abandoned mines, and pinpoint industries that could benefit from increased production. Many coal-producing communities in Appalachia have experienced economic decline, but funding from the DOE has the potential to create new job opportunities. They will formulate strategies aimed at stimulating economic growth, bridging supply chain gaps, and improving workforce education and training. “For many years, the Virginia Tech Mining and Minerals team has been a national leader in the area of rare earth and critical mineral production and is committed to work that improves the lives of our friends and neighbors through Appalachia,” noted Aaron Noble, Department Head of Mining and Minerals Engineering and Project Coprincipal Investigator. “I am excited to see how this new project will advance our efforts and expand our opportunities to secure domestic production of these critical resources.” Expand Appalachia team using downhole geophysics to detect the presence of rare earth elements. Photos courtesy of Richard Bishop for Virginia Tech. ENV The Evolve Central Appalachia team conducts tests with handheld analytical instruments such as a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.
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