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$5M Grant Awarded to WVU Researchers to Bring Critical Materials Program to Commercial Reality

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Exciting advancements are underway as the Water Research Institute at West Virginia University (WVWRI) expands a transformative program to extract critical materials from acid mine drainage (AMD), supported by a new, $5 million, three-year U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant.  The funding, Production of Individually Separated Rare Earth Metals, will benefit the economy, national security, and the environment.

Rare earth elements (REE) and critical materials (CM) such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium can be found in AMD.  In 2016, the research team, led by WVWRI Director Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz, pioneered a technique that economically recovers these valuable metals and removes contaminants from AMD, resulting in clean water.  Not only will this be a boon for the environment; it will also create economic and social benefits for the surrounding communities.

Read Full Article: $5M Grant Awarded to WVU Researchers to Bring Critical Materials Program to Commercial Reality

Demand for rare elements used in clean energy could help clean up abandoned coal mines in Appalachia

Marc Levy, Associated Press

MOUNT STORM, W.Va. (AP) — Down a long gravel road, tucked into the hills in West Virginia, is a low-slung building where researchers are extracting essential elements from an old coal mine that they hope will strengthen the nation’s energy future.

Read Full Article: Demand for rare elements used in clean energy could help clean up abandoned coal mines in Appalachia

WVU Energy Institute Transforming to Serve Emerging Energy Trends

West Virginia University, a leader in energy research and innovation, is repositioning the institutes within its Research Office to best meet industry-wide transitions.

The Energy Institute will transform into the WVU Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research, effective July 1, 2023, with Sam Taylor as its director. Taylor will build the new Institute on the foundation of the Energy Institute laid by James Wood.

Read Full Article: WVU Energy Institute Transforming to Serve Emerging Energy Trends

Federal officials tour newly online Richard Mine AMD treatment Plant

David Beard, The Dominion Post

MORGANTOWN – The new Richard Mine acid mine drainage treatment plant began operation last week, and on Monday, officials from the U.S. Department of Interior and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement toured the site in advance of a special DOI announcement (see companion story).

Read Full Article: Federal officials tour newly online Richard Mine AMD treatment Plant

WVU researchers to share expertise at international conference on mine water, reclamation

WHAT: West Virginia University will co-host the 2024 Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium and 15th International Mine Water Association Congress, bringing together mining, water and reclamation experts from around the world who will provide the latest updates on research, regulations and practices involving mine drainage, water quality and rare earth element extraction. 

WHEN: April 21-April 26

Read Full Article: WVU researchers to share expertise at international conference on mine water, reclamation

WVU to Co-Host International Conference on Mine Water Treatment

West Virginia University scholars will join other water restoration experts to provide the latest updates on regulations and practices during a joint conference hosted by WVU, the West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force, and the International Mine Water Association.

The event will be held April 21-26, 2024 in Morgantown at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.

Read Full Article: WVU to Co-Host International Conference on Mine Water Treatment