Western Critical Minerals Consortium Pilot Mineral Processing Project Workshop 2025

Western Critical Minerals Consortium Pilot Mineral Processing Project Workshop 2025

Outcome: The WCMC will form teams to design and develop a plan for a PMP in Alaska. The Consortium will determine what could be viable projects and develop white papers to seek support and funding, for engaging industry partners, and for advocacy to Congressional Delegations and Governors.

When: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Location: 
Globe Room (Elvey 215)
Elvey Building
Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska Fairbanks
2156 Koyukuk Drive
Fairbanks, AK, 99775

Purpose: The Western Critical Minerals Consortium is partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit to develop a plan to build and operate a pilot mineral processing project in Alaska.

Registration is now open!

Please register here by Friday, May 30, 2025. Contact Lee Ann Munk, lamunk@alaska.edu, with any questions.

Agenda

View the agenda here.

Parking on the UAF campus

On weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., parking permits are necessary to park your vehicle on the UAF campus. Visitors will find metered parking spots available in front of the Elvey Building, home of the Geophysical Institute.  

In addition, hourly, daily and weekly passes are available for purchase at kiosks in each parking lot or through the Passport parking app. For more information, click the links below.

General Parking Information
UAF Campus Map
Shuttle Bus
Shuttle Tracker

Food options

Coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided for meeting participants.

For other meals, there are many nearby on- and off-campus dining options, including the following:

On campus

Wood Center (UAF) dining options

Breakfast

Little Owl Café, Lulu's Bread and Bagels, House of the Rising Bun

Lunch/Dinner

Pad Thai Restaurant, Lemongrass Thai Cuisine, East Ramp Pizza, Pump House, Lavelle's Bistro

Lodging

Check back soon for more information.

Transportation
  • Airport: Fairbanks International Airport
  • Taxi/Rideshare options: Ground transportation options (taxis, car rentals, public transportation, shuttles, etc.) are available here. Services like Uber and Lyft are unreliable in Fairbanks.
Other resources
  • Google Map of downtown Fairbanks
  • Explore Fairbanks — Includes things to know for planning your trip (FAQ, weather, hours of daylight, attractions, etc.)

About

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.

Contact info

The GI is located on the West Ridge of the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.

2156 Koyukuk Drive
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775

We acknowledge the Alaska Native nations upon whose ancestral lands our campuses reside. In Fairbanks, our Troth Yeddha' Campus is located on the ancestral lands of the Dena people of the lower Tanana River.

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