Board approves Institute for Critical and Strategic Minerals, citing federal and state funding opportunities

The University of Utah Board of Trustees voted April 26 to establish an Institute for Critical and Strategic Minerals to consolidate campus research, policy work and industry engagement around critical minerals. Trustees were told the institute will span geology, mining, metallurgical processing, downstream manufacturing and policy, and will be governed by an internal board and an external advisory board.

Anchorman Rasdan, the university's chief research officer for funding and partnerships, said the institute responds to national security and supply‑chain concerns and noted a state appropriation for critical minerals. "As you know, out of the 58 critical minerals recognized by the federal administration, Utah has the ability to mine and harvest over 0.75 of them in the state," Rasdan said. Presenters also referenced a state bill providing $10,000,000 for critical minerals and said federal opportunities could be substantial; one presenter stated, "we'll be awarded a 4,500,000,000,000, test bed center from federal agency in the National Lab." The board moved and approved creation of the institute as presented.

Trustees discussed governance and performance metrics, and presenters said the institute will track awards, student involvement and research outputs. The board's approval is an institutional step; the creation will proceed through any additional system approvals required for centers and institutes.