Alaska Leads, America Dominates

NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska announced as one of 12 new NSF Regional Innovation Engines awards

Connecting innovation, partnerships and investments to make Alaska a global leader in critical minerals and create opportunities for Alaskans

The NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska, led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, aims to unlock Alaska’s expansive critical mineral resources by integrating advanced mining, processing, and purification technologies, AI-enabled geochemical exploration systems, and novel bioextraction approaches. The Engine will connect communities, researchers, workforce development, and industry stakeholders to expand workforce training and career pathways that support high-quality jobs, particularly in remote Alaska communities. By strengthening local workforce capacity and enabling new business and supply chain opportunities, the Engine will contribute to long-term economic growth, regional stability, and domestic industrial capacity.

Technology focus areas address industry needs in advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, AI, biotechnology and energy technology.

About the Engine

Our vision and mission for Engine are clear

Vision: Catalyze Alaska’s world-class critical mineral innovation ecosystem—driven by cutting-edge research and commercialization—to secure national supply chains, position the U.S. as a global leader, and create jobs.

Mission: Increase domestic critical mineral production through innovation, cost-reducing technologies, and more efficient methods that enable scalable economic participation for all Alaskans.

Why Alaska for Critical Minerals

Alaska’s constitution mandates that we develop our resources “for maximum use consistent with the public interest”—and we’ve delivered.

The Gold Rush built our first infrastructure

Billions of barrels of oil have flowed from the North Slope

Red Dog, the nation’s largest critical mineral mine, brings zinc and germanium to the nation

out of 60 critical minerals are located in Alaska

in partner resources

critical mineral occurrences

$B+

in mining and minerals investment

Engine Leadership Team

Lee Ann Munk

CEO/PI

NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska

Christi Bell

COO

NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska

Mark Lambert

Executive Director of Commercialization

NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska

Lance Miller

Co-PI/Advisory Board Chair

Vice President of Natural Resources

NANA Regional Corporation

Liz Dennett

Co-PI/Sr. Advisor R&D and Innovation

Founder and CEO

Endolith Mining

Erin Whitney

Engine Liaison

Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska is READY

It is imperative for our national security that the United States take immediate action to facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent.

– Presidential executive order on mineral production

pg2-3_miningSpread-1200x677 — Photo courtesy of UAF Geophysical Institute

Alaska will DELIVER

It is the policy of the United States to establish our position as the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals, including rare earth minerals, which will create jobs and prosperity at home, strengthen supply chains for the United States and its allies, and reduce the global influence of malign and adversarial states.

– Presidential executive order on U.S. energy

Graphic by Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys.

Alaska will LEAD

Unlocking this bounty of natural wealth will raise the prosperity of our citizens while helping to enhance our Nation’s economic and national security for generations to come.

– Presidential executive order on Alaska’s natural resources

Martin Steufer stands beside a hyperspectral camera system. Steufer is the director of UAF Geophysical Institute's HyLab. UAF/GI photo by JR Ancheta. — Photo by JR Ancheta, UAF Geophysical Institute

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