Many people agree that Utah has the components to become a leader in the mining and processing of critical minerals. But the stimulus for growth at future mines and processing centers is in an unlikely place.
Secondary schools.
Denee Hayes, senior fellow at the University of Utah College of Science and principal consultant at Bijih Resource Consulting, told a crowd at the recent Utah Mining Association annual conference that K-12 would be a great starting point for getting people interested in critical minerals activities and cultivating expertise in the industry.“In grade school, that’s where we sort of develop some of these core interests that we can develop into careers in the mining industry,” Hayes said.
Young people used to be “rock hounds,” and often “that one teacher” sparked interest in geology and minerals, she said. Partnerships between industry and academia can also take the form of student field trips to mining operations, STEM programs featuring mining careers, science fair partnerships and summer camps.
“What I’m saying is, start early,” Hayes said. “Start in K-12 education. I know that’s a long lead time, but we will need industry professionals for the next 30 years to be joining and coming in.”
That interest can carry through into post-secondary education, with university programs such as internships, collaborations, industry guest speakers and projects with companies also developing interests and skills the industry will need.
The national security of the United States is at risk because China “has a stronghold and grip” on the majority of critical minerals processing throughout the world, she said. It has made investments in infrastructure, ports and transportation, and billions of dollars in places including Congo, Brazil and South Africa — all in an effort to “manipulate the markets and disrupt the supply chain,” she said.
That has left the U.S. relying on foreign supply chains. Earlier in the conference, attendees learned that 920 pounds of rare earth elements are in an F-25 Lightning II fighter; 5,200 pounds are in an Arleigh Burke DDG-51 destroyer; and 9,200 pounds are in an SSN-774 Virginia Class submarine.
The U.S. — and more specifically Utah — can be a leader in critical mineral production. The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the U.S. Geological Survey, recently produced the final 2025 list of critical minerals, and 50 of the 60 on the list can be found in Utah.
Hayes said industry and both state and federal government need to look at critical minerals stability “so we can afford to opt into the processing and mining of critical minerals.”
Hayes called for a place to concentrate talent, innovation and infrastructure, “and we have all of those things readily available in Utah to be able to do that.”
Utah being a critical minerals resource hub would have broad benefits, she added. “This will help us help other industries thrive, like aerospace and defense, medical technologies, other technologies, manufacturing, electric vehicles and any technology out there.”
Hayes also called for a public relations campaign to stir interest in mining and critical minerals — anything to make mining more visible.
At the other end of the age spectrum, retirees and those near retirement need to have their expertise preserved before “walking out the door,” she said.
“So, we need to plan for both an increase in expertise in critical minerals processing,” Hayes said, “as well as a loss of expertise within our industry to retirement.”