Sean Regan speaks during the “Alaska Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Input Stakeholder Meeting" at the UAF Troth Yeddha' Campus. UAF/GI photo by Courtney Holtzclaw
Sean Regan speaks during the “Alaska Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Input Stakeholder Meeting" at the UAF Troth Yeddha' Campus. UAF/GI photo by Courtney Holtzclaw
Geochronology Lab Director Sean Regan explains the working of the lab to some attendees of a public meeting about carbon ore, rare earth elements and critical minerals earlier this month. UAF/GI photo by Courtney Holtzclaw
Geochronology Lab Director Sean Regan explains the working of the lab to some attendees of a public meeting about carbon ore, rare earth elements and critical minerals earlier this month. UAF/GI photo by Courtney Holtzclaw
Geochronology Lab Director Sean Regan, center, answers questions on a tour of UAF laboratories. The Keyence microscope system with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy capabilities is pictured, with a microscope image of a meteorite sample on the adjacent screen. UAF/GI photo by Courtney Holtzclaw
Geochronology Lab Director Sean Regan, center, answers questions on a tour of UAF laboratories. The Keyence microscope system with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy capabilities is pictured, with a microscope image of a meteorite sample on the adjacent screen. UAF/GI photo by Courtney Holtzclaw

Rare earth elements and critical minerals topic of public meeting

September 26, 2023

Geophysical Institute labs and personnel were a part of a UAF-hosted public meeting about carbon ore, rare earth elements and critical minerals earlier this month.

Assistant professor Sean Regan, director of the GI’s Geochronology Lab, and Martin Stuefer, director of the GI’s Hyperspectral Imaging Lab, participated in a panel titled “Expanding the University of Alaska’s Capabilities to Support Alaska’s REE/CM Industry.” 

Bill Schnabel, dean of the UAF College of Engineering and Mines, moderated the panel discussion.

The “Alaska Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Input Stakeholder Meeting" was held Sept. 12-14 at the Troth Yeddha' Campus.

UAF is one of 13 institutions chosen for the U.S. Department of Energy's CORE-CM initiative to conduct research on resource extraction, resource processing and manufacturing of high-value, nonfuel, carbon-based products, according to a UAF event announcement.

The stakeholder meeting brought together industry experts, researchers and thought leaders to exchange ideas, deliberate on strategies and chart the course for Alaska's rare earth elements/critical minerals journey. 

Regan also led a tour of the GI’s Geochronology Lab and Advanced Instrumentation Lab.

 

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Since it was established by an Act of Congress in 1946, scientists at the Geophysical Institute have studied geophysical processes from the center of the Earth to the surface of the sun and beyond, turning data and observations into information useful for state, Arctic and national priorities.

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