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Expand Appalachia CORE-CM (Expand APP)

Truck in front of large drill looking for critical minerals

Project Description:
The Expand Appalachia CORE-CM (EXPAND APP) project will provide the foundational data, assessment methodologies, & implementation plans needed to catalyze economic growth & job creation by realizing the full potential value of the region’s natural resources, specifically including unconventional sources of critical minerals & metals as well as non-fuel carbon-based products.

Project Objectives:

  1. Expand the scale & scope of CORE-CM assessments within Region 2 including Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine as well as adjacent states that share similar geological characteristics for a nationwide prospectus on critical minerals
  2. Strategize the integration of infrastructure, industries, & businesses to spur economic growth using critical mineral & carbon ore resources & waste streams
  3. Provide stakeholder outreach & education
  4. Begin implementation of a workforce development plan for skills training for domestic CMM production
  5. Develop plans for technology innovation centers

Project Team:

  • Virginia Tech (VT)
  • University of Kentucky (UK)
  • Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
  • West Virginia University (WVU)
  • Bluefield State University (BSU)
  • Virginia Center for Coal & Energy Research (VCCER)
  • Virginia Energy (VaDOE)
  • Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS)
  • US Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Marshall Miller & Associates (MM&A)
  • Crescent Resource Innovations (CRI)
  • Coalfield Strategies (CS)
  • Bandy Geological Consulting (BGC)
  • Chmura Economics & Analytics

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