MEDIA ADVISORY: Critical Minerals Workshop

August 4, 2025

Hear from some of the world’s foremost experts on critical minerals — including academic researchers, government experts, startup CEOs, and workforce development specialists — on how the U.S. is growing its supply chain for these rare earth elements that are essential to the energy transition.

Critical minerals are vital ingredients of modern technology, including cell phones, electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar panels and batteries. Yet they are often difficult to extract and come from countries outside the U.S., which threatens the national supply chain.

From August 13-14, 2025, The University of Texas at Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences will host the inaugural North American Workshop on Critical Mineral Research, Development, and Education. The workshop is a rare event that unites experts from diverse backgrounds, including geologists, engineers, metallurgists, environmental scientists, and political scientists who are working to secure a U.S. supply of critical minerals.

Keynote talks, poster presentations, and breakout sessions will address issues such as mineral exploration and recycling technologies, supply chain economics, and workforce training and development from government, research, and industry perspectives.

The workshop is open to the public with in-person events that will stream online. Full schedule.

Note to reporters: Contact Robin Berghaus by August 12 to register for a press pass. Experts are available for interviews during the event.

When: August 13, 2025 from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; August 14, 2025 from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Venue: Thompson Conference Center and Zoom

Hosts: Associate Professor Marek Locmelis, doctoral student Shelby Clark, and a committee of researchers from the Jackson School’s Bureau of Economic Geology and the UT Cockrell School of Engineering.

ElementUSA, an Austin-based emerging critical mineral producer, is sponsoring the workshop dinner. Ellis Sullivan from ElementUSA will discuss their role in increasing critical mineral supply chain resilience during a dinner keynote lecture. When registering for a press pass, reporters may request a seat at the workshop dinner, which is by reservation only. Seating is limited and offered if available.

Keynote speakers: