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Why Europe Needs Digital Rock Physics for Critical Minerals Strategy

Researchers argue that Digital Rock Physics could help the UK and Europe move from critical minerals targets to practical supply-chain implementation by linking 3D imaging, correlative chemistry, AI, and pore-scale modeling. The paper positions DRP as a shared infrastructure for assessing complex ores, brines, tailings, and recycling feedstocks, while stressing that validation, data standards, upscaling, and industrial access remain key barriers.

9 Jun 2026

Ionic Mineral Technologies Secures Major SITLA Land Expansion at Silicon Ridge, Confirms Large-Scale Mineral System Continuity

Ionic Mineral Technologies, North America's vertically integrated answer for rare earth and critical mineral independence today announced two major advancements for its flagship Silicon Ridge project in Utah, underscoring its scale and development potential.

From Ionic Mineral Technologies 8 Jun 2026

Thick Continental Roots Point Scientists Toward Rare Earth Deposits

Researchers mapped more than 9,000 young CO2-rich igneous rock samples and found that lithospheric thickness strongly controls where these unusual magmas form. The findings show that deep Earth structure can help predict carbonatite-hosted rare-earth element deposits, with implications for critical mineral exploration.

4 Jun 2026

Belt and Road Mineral Trade Gains Strength as Regional Economies Align

A six-country Belt and Road analysis found that mineral resources, regional economies, and mineral product imports became more closely coordinated from 2017 to 2022. The findings suggest that regional infrastructure, trade links, and resource-development policies may help countries capture greater economic value from mineral resources.

3 Jun 2026

PNNL Deploys AI to Extract Critical Minerals in Days Instead of Years

A research team at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has deployed AI agents with the potential to accelerate the recovery of critical minerals

2 Jun 2026

Machine Learning Exposes Hidden Conflict Risks in Global Mineral Supply

Researchers developed a machine learning framework to map ESG-driven conflict risks across energy transition mineral mining projects, using 112,766 conflict events and 16 environmental, social, and governance indicators. The study found that environmental factors drove most modeled risk, with tungsten showing the highest overall risk, platinum the lowest, and lithium most affected by water-stress-related environmental risk.

31 May 2026

China’s Graphite Export Moves Could Ripple Through Global Industry

This study models how China’s graphite export adjustments could cascade through global trade networks and reshape the graphite global value chain. It finds that deep-processing graphite exports strengthen industrial competitiveness, while countries dependent on imported upstream graphite products remain vulnerable to supply shocks.

28 May 2026

Wiley Expands its Trusted IR and Raman Spectral Library Collections—Helping Analytical Labs Make Faster, More Confident Decisions

Wiley, a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation and learning, today announced the release of additional data to its IR and Raman spectral libraries, significantly broadening compound coverage, including materials, polymers, minerals, and others.

From John Wiley and Sons - Scientific Publishers 22 Apr 2026

The Case of the Missing Lead: Unlocking Earth’s 4.5-Billion-Year Secret

Geoscientists have long relied on different forms of lead to understand Earth’s geological history and how it was created over billions of years.

11 Apr 2026

New Milestone Handbook Helps Geochemists Master Efficient and Sustainable Rock Digestion

Efficient Rock Digest Preparation for Geochemists offers a comprehensive guide to sustainable and accurate dissolution of geological samples in laboratories.

From Milestone 31 Oct 2025

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