When Greatness Ojum was in her first year of mining engineering studies, she met Julia Potter, co-director of the Geotechnical Center of Excellence and vice president of Women in Mining USA. Potter told her about an opportunity to launch a University of Arizona student chapter of the organization, which has supported an equitable and sustainable mining industry since 1972.

Susan Perez, a Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona, is researching the use of rhamnolipids and glycolipids to extract metals from aqueous solutions, aiding in cleaner mining practices. Her work holds promise for recycling metals from mine waste and improving water quality while promoting sustainability. Perez advises students to persevere through challenges in their studies, emphasizing the importance of resilience.

Seth Kreinbrook, a mining engineering student minoring in sustainable mineral resources at the University of Arizona, discovered his passion for mining after hearing from a guest speaker in his Intro to Engineering class. Engaged in real-life experiences like visits to the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory, Kreinbrook feels supported and connected to the mining community. He advises students to stay connected to their field, engage in extracurricular activities, and take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities.

Julie Neilson, director of the Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining, and Mark Barton, director of the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources, were both featured in The Buzz, discussing the impacts of abandoned mine lands, and local remediation work. 

Isa Baron, an Environmental Studies and Operations & Supply Chain Management student at the University of Arizona, finds the Sustainable Mineral Resources minor to be the perfect blend of her interests in sustainability and business. With aspirations to become a Sustainability Consultant, Baron has gained valuable experience through internships and emphasizes the importance of mining for renewable energy while encouraging others to explore the field.

Nicole Collins transitioned from Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law to Environmental Studies at the University of Arizona due to her growing interest in climate change. Switching her minor to Sustainable Mineral Resources, Collins recognizes the importance of ethical extraction of natural resources for the future and aspires to contribute to environmental conservation through the Peace Corps, leveraging her newfound knowledge in sustainable resource management.

The University of Arizona’s mine automation lab is taking mining into the future. Dr. Nathalie Risso is leading a developing research project utilizing artificial intelligence to help mines with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) compliance.

In the fast lane toward global clean energy, Crosscutting Research in critical materials is at the intersection of innovation and collaboration. At the University of Arizona, Hongyue Jin is at the helm of the cutting-edge discipline.

University of Arizona alumnus Mark Chalmers, President and CEO of Energy Fuels Inc., came back to his alma mater to give the esteemed annual Lacy Lecture of 2022. Chalmers’ forward-looking lecture focused on Rare Earth Elements (REEs) which are essential for the future of mining and the clean-energy transition.

One of the biggest questions of the mining industry is, how can we make it more sustainable? One Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, David Hogan, is tackling that very question with his research on water remediation.