College of Engineering, Design & Computing Events
Reliable Ore Characterization with Keystone Sensing (ROCKS)
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10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The development of new mines is a multistage process that typically requires years to complete. Prospect evaluation and feasibility assessment of a hard rock mine can alone take years or even decades. The goal of the Reliable Ore Characterization with Keystone Sensing (ROCKS) program is to develop tools to evaluate the feasibility of an ore deposit in months, rather than years. This will enable rapid scoping of alternate and untapped resources. By accelerating and improving characterization, the program will enable earlier, more accurate, and lower-cost deposit assessments. A transformative increase in this capability will aid not only the development of abundant domestic REE deposits, but that of all critical minerals. Lower-cost, accurate resource characterization will enable more productive mining with less waste rock and streamline the entire mineral processing and refining supply chain.