South Dakota Mines announced Oct. 26 that its team was selected for a $1 million U.S. Department of Energy PROSPECT Planning Prize to support education and workforce development in critical minerals and related technologies at the Rapid City university, according to the school’s announcement.
The announcement said Mines was one of 16 universities receiving funding, and the DOE prize is intended to help universities plan expanded specialized education and prepare more graduates for critical-minerals supply-chain careers.
Mines professor Andrea Brickey said the award will support expanded student recruitment and outreach, according to the announcement. The prize money will also assist with implementing educational programs in mining engineering and management, geology and geological engineering, and materials and metallurgical engineering, the school said.
The university said the award builds on its mineral-industry education and research work, including the Nucor Mineral Industries Building, which opened in 2024, and new critical minerals minors.
The prize is funded by the DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation and managed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies under the American-Made program, according to South Dakota Mines.
The school lists its address as 501 E. Saint Joseph St., Rapid City, SD 57701, and its phone number as 605-394-2511.
