In the news
In the news
NASA says it’s working toward making life on the moon a reality
George Sowers, professor of space resources, explains the challenges posed by radiation on the Moon and predicts heavy use of robotics on lunar bases to mitigate exposure risks for humans living and working there.
July 9, 2026
Big tech is now targeting native American land for massive data centers
The article references commentary by Richard Luarkie, director of the NAMES Initiative at the Payne Institute, which notes that Big Tech is increasingly looking to Native American land for data centers because projects there face fewer regulatory hurdles than in other communities.
July 9, 2026
Colorado Mountain College creates guaranteed transfer pathway to Colorado School of Mines
Lori Kester, associate provost for enrollment management, said many talented students in Colorado's mountain and rural communities are looking for accessible pathways to engineering and STEM careers.
July 8, 2026
Gerry Bourne and bladesmithing at Colorado School of Mines
Gerald Bourne, teaching professor and associate department head in metallurgical and materials engineering, discusses his introduction to bladesmithing and what bladesmithing looks like at Mines
July 8, 2026
Are Michigan and Huron actually one large Great Lake?
Eric Anderson, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, says that in some ways the two Great Lakes can be considered one lake, since they share what he calls a "lake system."
July 8, 2026
Sarazin to direct School of Mines' quantum efforts
The article notes that Fred Sarazin, professor of physics, has been appointed Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair to further grow the university's leadership in quantum engineering.
July 8, 2026
The Age of Energy Warfare: Lessons from the Ukraine and Iran Wars
Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, co-authors this article examining how electrical grids can be protected in response to the type of military strategies now being utilized by Russia in its war with Ukraine.
July 8, 2026
What is cystinosis?
Anuj Chauhan, professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, joins this podcast from Ireland where he is speaking about the orphan disease cystinosis and a his research regarding its treatment.
July 7, 2026
Nigeria among nine countries responsible for 83% of global gas flaring — World Bank report
Nigeria is among nine countries that accounted for more than four-fifths of global gas flaring in 2025, according to a new World Bank report published in collaboration with the Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines.
July 7, 2026
Connected Colorado: Sustainability
Veteran journalist Gary Shapiro utilizes the backdrop of the Colorado School of Mines' Edgar Experimental Mine near Idaho Springs to discuss the topic of sustainability.
July 6, 2026
This Iron Range mine is one of Minnesota’s biggest economic development projects
Ian Lange, Viola Vestal Coulter Chair of Mineral Economics, said iron ore has not traditionally been listed as a critical mineral because of the mineral’s historic prevalence and relative profitability.
July 5, 2026
Give gas a passport, not a pardon: A digital fix to Europe’s methane problem
Brad Handler, program director for the Payne Institute for Public Policy’s Energy Finance Lab, and Aaron Lohmann, EarnDLT chief executive and co-founder, argue in this column that technology could help fix the EU’s methane emissions reporting rules.
July 1, 2026
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.