Evolve Central Appalachia

Note:
The Evolve CAPP project was completed in 2024. The final project report is available on the U.S. Department of Energy OSTI website here. The team is now preparing for the commencement of the Phase II project: Expand Appalachia CORE-CM (Expand APP).

Project Description:
The Evolve Central Appalachia (Evolve CAPP) project is developing & implementing strategies that enable the region to realize its full economic potential for producing rare earth elements (REE), critical minerals (CM), & high-value, nonfuel, carbon-based products. Strategies will be presented to spur economic growth, close supply chain gaps, promote investment in the region, and address workforce education and training opportunities.

Project Objectives:

1. Determine the quantity & distribution of resources in the region 
2. Formulate strategies to utilize coal waste streams to produce useful fuels & materials
3. Evaluate regional infrastructure & identify industries that may benefit from REE & CM production
4. Develop strategies to encourage business development
5. Guide research & development of new technologies
6. Frame plans to establish technology innovation centers
7. Implement stakeholder outreach & education initiatives

Project Benefits:

• Acceleration of technologies to recover & utilize resources in an environmentally & socially responsible manner
• Potential reduction in U.S. dependence on foreign sources of REE & CM by utilizing the region’s vast natural resources & skills to extract additional resources from coal & associated byproducts
• Development of additional revenue streams through the production of new carbon-based products

Past Events:

• February 25, 2025 - CORE-CM/Rare Earths Technical Session at the SME Annual Conference in Denver, CO
• November 2, 2024 - Evolve CAPP at the Fall 2024 SME-ECMRO Mine Rescue Contest at the WV Training & Conference Center in Julian, WV
• October 29, 2024 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop to the Virginia Tech Southwest Center Advisory Council in Abingdon, VA
• October 15, 2024 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop to the Department of Energy - National Energy Technology Laboratory
• September 27, 2024 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the Virginia State University STEAM-H Seminar in Ettrick, VA
• August 12-13, 2024 - Evolve CAPP participating in the Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC) Public Workshop hosted online by DOE
• July 17, 2024 - Dr. Richard Bishop participating in a panel discussion on critical minerals at the Appalachian Regional Deploy Dialogues event hosted by DOE-NETL in Morgantown, WV
• July 10, 2024 - Presentations by Dr. Richard Bishop & Mr. William Lassetter at the 11th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry in Torino, Italy
• May 8, 2024 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the SWVA Energy Research & Development Authority meeting in Abingdon, VA
• May 1, 2024 - Presentations by Dr. Richard Bishop & Mr. Kevin Andrews at the SME Central Appalachian Section Spring Event in Lexington, KY
• April 3, 2024 - Presentation by Dr. Aaron Noble & Dr. Richard Bishop at the 2024 NETL Resource Sustainability Project Review Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA
• March 13, 2024 - Presentation by Mr. Ralph Bandy at the SPE Appalachian Section meeting in Charleston, WV
  
• February 28, 2024 - Presentations by Dr. Steven Schafrik & Mr. Mitchell Corsi at the SME Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ
• November 4, 2023 - Evolve CAPP at the Fall 2023 SME-ECMRO Mine Rescue Contest at the WV Training & Conference Center in Julian, WV
• October 14, 2023 - Evolve CAPP at the Virginia Tech Engineering Alumni Homecoming Event
• October 11, 2023 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the FL-SME Regional Mining Conference in Plant City, FL
  
• October 5, 2023 - Presentations by Dr. Richard Bishop & Dr. Steven Schafrik at the MCPA PE Seminar
  
• September 11, 2023 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop to the VEDP Rural Virginia Action Committee in Richmond, VA
• August 4, 2023 - Stakeholder Outreach Meeting at the West Virginia Training and Conference Center in Julian, WV
• June 27-28, 2023 - CORE-CM Workshop in Denver, CO
• May 26, 2023 - National Defense University in Washington DC
• May 20-23, 2023 - Booth at Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) Conference in Roanoke, WV
  
• May 18, 2023 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop to the VCCER Advisory Board
• April 14, 2023 - Central Appalachian SME Section Spring Meeting in Julian, WV
• April 1, 2023 - Booth at Virginia Tech Kids' Tech University Program
• March 22, 2023 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the Virginia Tech Critical Minerals Workshop in Blacksburg, VA
• March 1, 2023 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the 2023 SME Annual Conference in Denver, CO
  
• December 2, 2022 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee in Lexington, KY
• October 25, 2022 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the 2022 Resource Sustainability Project Review Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA
• October 12, 2022 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop at the FL-SME Regional Mining Conference in Plant City, FL
• June 8, 2022 - Presentation by Dr. Richard Bishop to the VCCER Advisory Board
• April 26, 2022 - Technical Session on the Evolve CAPP Project at the SME Central Appalachian Section Spring Event in Lexington, KY
• March 16, 2022 - Open Session presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis in Abingdon, VA
• March 16, 2022 - Presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis at the Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting in Abingdon, VA
• March 8, 2022 - Presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis at the Southern States Energy Board CORE-CM Webinar
• December 2, 2021 - Presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis at the USEA CORE-CM PI / Leaders Open Webinar
• November 29, 2021 - Presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis at the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association Annual Meeting
• October 29, 2021 - Presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis at the NETL Kick-off Meeting
• October 26, 2021 - Presentation by Dr. Michael Karmis to the VCCER Advisory Board

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