The Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) has been awarded a $1 million PROSPECT Planning Prize by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation. This funding is aimed at expanding the workforce in the critical minerals and materials sector, addressing the skilled labor shortage in this essential field.
Audrey Robertson, DOE’s assistant secretary of energy, emphasized the need for a revitalized workforce, stating, “America has abundant natural resources, but we need the skilled workforce to turn those resources into economic drivers that will grow our economy and create new jobs.” Robertson pointed out that the nation has seen a decline in its mining and critical minerals workforce and domestic supply chains over the years, and the PROSPECT initiative is designed to counteract that trend by encouraging universities to boost the number of graduates ready to support the critical minerals supply chain.
Leading Missouri S&T’s initiative is Dr. Catherine Johnson, a Robert H. Quenon Professor and interim chair of mining and explosives engineering. Other team members include Dr. Stephen Gao, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor and chair of earth sciences and engineering, and Dr. Sridhar Seetharaman, professor and chair of materials science and engineering.
Dr. Johnson noted, “The PROSPECT Prize represents a unique opportunity to position our mining and explosives engineering program at the forefront of preparing the next generation of professionals who will secure America’s critical mineral supply chain.” She added that this investment not only expands educational opportunities but also highlights the importance of mining in areas such as national security and advanced manufacturing.
Missouri S&T’s proposal, titled “CM3: Critical Minerals, Metals and Manufacturing,” aims to engage a variety of students, not just those in mining. The initiative will involve learners from multiple disciplines, including materials science, geological engineering, and business. The university plans to develop a series of industry-targeted certificates and accelerate the deployment of workforce credentials by leveraging existing courses.
The program will be supported by Missouri S&T’s federally backed facilities and industry connections, including a $38 million pilot-scale processing test bed, a $16.3 million DOE Mine of the Future proving ground, and other specialized centers. These resources will provide students with practical experience in critical minerals processing, underground training, and direct employment opportunities with industry partners.
The PROSPECT Planning Prize is part of a broader effort by the DOE to develop specialized education in critical technologies, managed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies under the American-Made program.
