A Catalyst for Mining Innovation
Only one university fully integrates the breadth of academic disciplines and organizations needed to provide innovative solutions to today’s minerals industry risks, and to prepare the next generation of diverse professionals for tomorrow’s challenges: The University of Arizona. The Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources leads this collaboration bringing together the best UArizona and industry have to offer.
Our Mission
To advance responsible mining and use of minerals by catalyzing resources across The University of Arizona and our global network to: educate stakeholders on the importance of mineral resources and innovations in modern mining; attract the brightest minds from diverse disciplines to apply their talent to mineral resources challenges; develop the next generation workforce; and provide timely, integrated solutions to address real industry challenges.
Workforce
We attract the brightest minds from diverse disciplines to apply their talent to mineral resources challenges and develop the next generation workforce.
- Fill the pipeline with a mining-ready and mining-knowledgeable workforce
- Provide multidisciplinary and specialty education
- Offer continuing education for professionals
- Provide certifications, distance learning, short courses
- Train with real-world experience that includes the UA’s unique underground mining lab
Innovation
We provide timely, integrated solutions to address real industry challenges.
- Find minerals more efficiently
- Optimize mine operations and resource recovery
- Improve worker health and safety
- Deliver solutions to prevent and manage geotechnical events
- Tackle environmental issues like water stewardship and biodiversity
- Engage communities to mitigate social license issues
- Bring solutions to market through Tech Launch Arizona
Photo: A disc made of UA-invented Acrete, a concrete substitute made from fly ash (Paul Tumarkin/Tech Launch Arizona)
Engagement
We educate stakeholders on the importance of mineral resources and share innovations in modern mining.
- Educate the public through outreach
- Engage cross-campus resources and facilitate collaboration
- Engage students and community
- Act as a trusted, neutral expert with government agencies
Vision
To provide the framework for responsible mineral resource availability required to sustain generations to come.
J. David Lowell
The Institute for Mineral Resources owes its creation to generous endowments from J. David Lowell. Lowell received a BS degree in mining engineering from the University of Arizona in 1949 and a MS in geology from Stanford University in 1957. He also obtained a Professional Engineer degree from the University of Arizona in 1959 and honorary degrees from Universidad Nacional de San Marcos in Peru in 1998 and the University of Arizona in 2000.
on david lowell's life A Message from the Directors economic geology program