Evolve Central Appalachia

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

Upcoming Events

• February 25, 2025 - CORE-CM/Rare Earths Technical Session at the SME Annual Conference in Denver, CO

Past Events

• 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

You can find DOE Project information related to Evolve CAPP research: here