
As the world transitions to cleaner energy technologies and emerging economies continue to develop, the demand for minerals too has increased at least 50%. Where do these minerals come from? What are the geopolitical implications? How is Arizona uniquely positioned to contribute to a secure and sustainable future in the United States?
Arizona has a long and rich tradition in mining – especially copper – today, the state is uniquely positioned to contribute to the major challenges around critical mineral production in the U.S. from new technologies to work force to driving circular economies through the minimization of waste. Southern Arizona, in particular, is a hub for the development of leading mining technology and boasts state-of-the-art proving grounds, a unique full-scale mining laboratory, and a new school that brings many disciplines together to solve the most pressing challenges related to mineral extraction, leveraging some of the most advanced mining operations in the world. The region stands to lead the U.S. in critical mineral development.
Biography: Kray Luxbacher
Kray Luxbacher is the Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair and Department Head in the Mining and Geological Engineering Department at the University of Arizona. Her primary research interests are in underground mine ventilation including monitoring and characterization of gases and particulates, fire simulation and prevention, and risk analysis. She is passionate about mining engineering education and the onshoring of critical mineral beneficiation.
She is active in several committees of the SME, and the National Academies Committee on Earth Resources, and she is a registered professional engineer. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Luxbacher worked for mining companies as an underground production foreman and engineer. In addition to her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mining Engineering she also earned a graduate certificate in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech.