Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable EERE Home
Industrial Technologies Program

About Us

Research, Development, and Demonstrations in support of the Mining Industry of the Future


The DOE laboratories have many on-going R&D projects related to mining. Check out the DOE laboratory capabilities matrix for laboratory activities in exploration and resource characterization, mining operation, and minerals processing.

You can view the following publications as fully formatted documents with graphics in Adobe PDF. Download Acrobat Reader.

Mining Industry Roadmap for Crosscutting Technologies; Round One

The selections for the first round of laboratory-led mining project solicitation were announced by NMA and DOE on 23 July 1999.

Download a printable two-page (PDF 435 KB) summary of the projects, or get detailed fact sheets for these first ten first round projects awarded:

  • Development and Deployment of Automated Machine Fluid Analysis Systems led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PDF 464 KB)

  • Drilling and Blasting Optimization led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (PDF 661 KB)

  • High-Temperature Superconductors in Underground Communications led by Los Alamos National Laboratory (PDF 491 KB)

  • Hydride Fuel Cell Mining Vehicles led by Savannah River Technical Center (PDF 459 KB)

  • Imaging Ahead of Mining led by Sandia National Laboratory (PDF 502 KB)

  • Mine Compatible Laser Analysis Instrument for Ore Grading led by Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (PDF 571 KB)

  • Mining Byproduct Recovery led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (PDF 504 KB)

  • Robotics for Improving Mining Productivity led by Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (PDF 479 KB)

  • Selective Flocculation of Fine Mineral Particles led by DOE's Albany Research Center
    (PDF 509 KB)

  • Three Dimensional Simulation of Charge Motion in Semiautogenous Grinding (SAG) Mills and Ball Mills led by Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (PDF 440 KB)

For the latest information on the Round One portfolio, download the Round One Quarterly Report. (PDF 406 KB)

Mining Industry Roadmap for Crosscutting Technologies; Round Two

The selections for the second round solicitation were announced by NMA and DOE on 17 August 2000.

Download a printable four-page (PDF 443 KB) summary of the projects, or get detailed fact sheets for these sixteen second round projects awarded:

  • 24-Channel Geophone Array for Horizontal or Verticle Boreholes led by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (PDF 448 KB)

  • Advanced Power and Control for Fuel Cell Mining Vehicles led by Fuelcell Propulsion Institute (PDF 743 KB)

  • Calibration Methods for On-line Analyzers led by University of Alaska (PDF 442 KB)

  • CastCon Process for Mining Applications led by Michigan Technological University (PDF 436 KB)

  • Computerized Roof Bolt Design System led by West Virginia University (PDF 7.09 MB)

  • Comminution Circuit Optimization led by Michigan Technological University (PDF 695 KB)

  • Dense-medium Cyclone Optimization led by Virginia Polytechnic Institute (PDF 497 KB)

  • Fibrous Monolithic Composites as Wear-resistant Components for Mining led by Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (PDF 640 KB)

  • Horizon Sensing TM led by Stolar Horizon, Inc. (PDF 2.78 KB)

  • Mapping with Natural Induced Polarization led by Electromagnetic Instruments, Inc.
    (PDF 461 KB)

  • Metal-Matrix Composites and Thermal Spray Coatings for Mining Machines led by Caterpillar Inc. (PDF 1.07 MB)

  • Novel Dewatering Aids for Mineral and Coal Fines led by Minerals and Coal Technologies, Inc. (PDF 506 KB)

  • Projectile Based Excavation led by Advanced Power Technologies, Inc. (PDF 577 KB)

  • Real-time Coal/Ore Grade Sensor led by AdvR, Inc. (PDF 453 KB)

  • Treatment of Cyanide Solutions and Slurries Using Air-spaged Hydrocyclone led by University of Utah (PDF 1.45 MB)

  • Wireless Mine-wide Telecommunications led by Transtek, Inc. (PDF 632 KB)

For the latest information on the Round Two portfolio, download the Round Two Quarterly Report. (PDF 2.14 MB)

The selections for the third round solicitation were announced by NMA and DOE in March 2002. Download printable detailed fact sheets for these two round three projects:

  • Alternate Anode Reaction for Copper Electrowinning (PDF 96 KB)

  • Smart Screening Systems for Mining (PDF 104 KB)

For the latest information on the Round three portfolio, download the Round Three Quarterly Report (PDF 1.42 MB)

The Selections for the fourth round solicitation were announced by NMA and DOE in March 2003. Detailed fact sheets for the following projects will be posted in the near future:

  • Advanced Surface Enhancement Technology for Decreasing Wear and Corrosion for Mineral Processing (PDF 211 KB)

  • Improving Energy Efficiency via Optimized Charge Motion and Slurry Flow in Plant Scale SAG Mills (PDF 221 KB)

  • In-Plant Testing of High-Efficiency Hydraulic Separators (PDF 153 KB)

  • Novel Binders and Methods for Agglomeration of Ore for Heap Leaching (PDF 125 KB)

  • Reducing Energy Consumption for Water Pumping at Limestone Quarries (PDF 235 KB)

  • Total Ore Process Integration & Management (PDF 143 KB)

  • Use of the Granuflow TM process in Coal Preparation Plants (PDF 158 KB)

For the latest information on the Round Four portfolio, download the Round Four Quarterly Report. (PDF 4.61 MB)

Mining Industry of the Future research projects are jointly managed by the DOE Office of Industrial Technologies and the National Energy Technology Laboratory

Other Tools

Industrial Projects Locator - Descriptions of on-going industrial-related research and development projects sponsored by the US Government. 

DOE R&D Tracking System - DOE R&D Project Summaries 

Skip left hand navigation
Mining Mining Icon
 Mining Home
 About Us
 Industry Profile
 Vision and
 Roadmaps
 Solicitations
 R&D Portfolio
 Best Practices
 Tools and
 Publications
 Related Links
 Search Mining
Skip Footer Navigation to End of Page




Last updated: 06/18/04