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Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) will host the fifth annual Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals national workshop on August 6–7, 2025, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
This in-person event, which also offers a virtual attendance option, continues the university’s leadership in advancing discussions and strategies for securing America’s critical minerals supply chain.
A Hub for Mineral Innovation and Research
Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, chair of Missouri S&T’s mining and explosives engineering department and a Union Pacific/Rocky Mountain Energy professor, emphasized the school’s long-standing reputation in this field:
“Missouri S&T has developed a national reputation over 155 years for its expertise across the entire critical minerals supply chain, from resource discovery and extraction to responsible processing and policy-making.”
With the U.S. Geological Survey identifying Missouri as the location of 29 of the 50 critical minerals outlined in the Energy Act of 2020, the university plays a vital role in reducing the country’s dependence on foreign resources.
NSF-Funded Initiative to Foster Innovation and Workforce Development
The NSF awarded Missouri S&T $50,000 to support the workshop. This funding will help bring together professionals from various disciplines, early-career researchers, and graduate students.
Travel grants are available for those who apply by July 15, especially applicants submitting poster or oral presentation abstracts.
The theme for the 2025 workshop is:
“Empowering a Vibrant Workforce: Leveraging Critical Minerals Research to Drive Innovation and Growth.”
Key topics will include:
- Workforce development
- Exploration and engineering innovations
- Processing and recycling technologies
- Public policy and supply chain economics
Organizers and Contributors from Across Disciplines
The event is a collaborative effort involving multiple departments at Missouri S&T. Workshop organizers include:
- Dr. Lana Alagha, Robert H. Quenon Associate Professor of Mining Engineering
- Dr. Olanrewaju Fatoba, Assistant Research Professor, Mining and Explosives Engineering
- Dr. Mahelet Fikru, Professor of Economics
- Dr. Alanna Krolikowski, Associate Professor of History and Political Science
- Dr. Alex Luyima, Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
- Dr. Michael Moats, Chair and Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Addressing National Needs Through Research
Dr. Awuah-Offei pointed out that America remains heavily reliant on foreign sources for critical minerals vital to smartphones, medical devices, electric vehicles, and national defense systems.
The workshop serves as a national platform to explore practical solutions and foster policy innovation.
“This workshop is crucial for building a self-reliant, resilient domestic supply chain,” he said.
About Missouri S&T
Located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T is a STEM-focused research institution with over 7,000 students.
As part of the University of Missouri System, it offers 100+ degree programs across 40 disciplines and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the nation’s top public universities for graduate salary impact.
To register and view the full agenda, visit:
sites.mst.edu/criticalmineralsworkshop
The 2025 Critical Minerals Workshop hosted by Missouri S&T stands as a key national event focused on securing the future of U.S. technology and energy infrastructure.
By bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government, the event aims to shape policy and practice around responsible mineral sourcing, domestic innovation, and workforce readiness in this rapidly evolving sector.