Critical Minerals Hub Aims to Build a Resilient and Sustainable Minerals Future

Critical minerals are the essential building blocks of technologies that power clean energy, national security and advanced manufacturing. Access to critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements has emerged as one of the nation’s most pressing issues for technology and sustainability.

The new Duke Critical Minerals Hub unites expertise across Duke’s engineering, natural sciences and social sciences domains to explore the full life cycle of critical minerals — from extraction and processing to utilization, reuse, and supply chain economics and policy.

“It’s an example of Duke’s commitment to advancing knowledge through interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement,” said Provost Alec Gallimore.

Led by Leanne Gilbertson, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Avner Vengosh, distinguished professor of environmental quality from Nicholas School of Environment, the Hub aims to foster new collaborations to promote workforce development and research translation efforts and has already attracted several external partnerships with industry, public agencies and research institutions globally.

Gilbertson mentioned Duke’s interdisciplinary culture as a key driver of the Hub’s success. “This culture, combined with the intellectual rigor and innovative spirit of its faculty and student body positions Duke to push boundaries in tackling the interconnected technical, social, environmental, and policy facets of the critical mineral system. The Critical Minerals Hub at Duke connects faculty and trainees from the various domains to share, learn from one another, and identify how together, we can produce outcomes unattainable individually.”

“We want industry involved in the decision-making process,” Vengosh noted. “That’s how we’ll ensure that our science directly informs real-world solutions.”

To make this goal a reality, the Hub recently welcomed community members, collaborators and partners to its official launch event. The event included a tour of research labs, presentations from university leadership, poster presentations representing research from various disciplines, and networking. The primary intent of the event was to build connections and spark ideas amongst different stakeholders. The event’s energy was matched only by the attendees’ enthusiasm for supporting the goals of the Hub.

Evan Leon, (Duke Trinity, 2013), Senior Manager – Resource Recycling at Toyota Tsusho America, was among the industry partners attending the event .”The Duke Critical Minerals Hub has the potential to be a key thought leader and connector in North Carolina and beyond. Bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives from researchers, industry partners, and federal leaders is crucial for establishing and maintaining a robust critical minerals ecosystem from mining to manufacturing. I congratulate Duke University on the successful launch of the Hub and look forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration,” said Leon.

“Our external partners—spanning the key sectors of the critical minerals ecosystem—are vital to our work. Their contributions to our research and workforce development are helping shape the Hub to deliver meaningful impact regionally, nationally, and beyond,” said Gilbertson.

“The Duke Critical Minerals Hub will be a key thought leader and connector in North Carolina and beyond,” added Ginger Sigmon, Hub Manager. “Bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives from researchers, industry partners and federal leaders is crucial for establishing and maintaining a robust critical minerals ecosystem from mining to manufacturing.”

During the event, Volker Blum, associate dean for research at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, emphasized the timely need for this initiative.

“Access to critical minerals is taking center stage in our technology landscape,” Blum said. “Beyond materials, we must also consider the cultural and environmental implications. That’s what this Hub brings — an authentically holistic approach.”

Prasad Kasibhatla, senior associate dean of research and doctoral programs at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, highlighted the integration of science with policy and society.

“Addressing environmental problems requires a large intellectual footprint with low walls,” Kasibhatla said. “We’re combining geochemical tools with human, societal and legal perspectives. This Hub is a critical investment by Duke.”

Students will get involved through an interdisciplinary Bass Connections project, allowing them to explore the complexities of the mineral supply chain — from geology and legislation to business and sustainability — and work alongside industry partners to produce real-world solutions.