A Ph.D. student in mining engineering at Missouri S&T has been selected for Resources for the Future’s first class of scholars for its Critical Minerals Research Lab. 

“Being part of this team of scholars will provide me with opportunities to collaborate with other scholars and work on some rewarding interdisciplinary projects,” says Hamdiya Orleans-Boham, of Ghana. “I look forward to seeing how we can support each other’s research and potentially have a real influence on sustainable mineral management, assess environmental impacts and propose solutions, and shape future policies related to critical minerals and the energy transition at the national level and the world at large.” 
 
Resources for the Future is a nonprofit organization focused on improving policy decisions related to the environment, energy and natural resources through economic research and engagement with policymakers.  
 
The 14 inaugural scholars for the lab have a variety of research interests, such as the environmental, economic, and social aspects of mining, critical mineral technologies, supply chain policies and trade policies.  
 
Orleans-Boham’s focus is on developing models to analyze critical mineral policies for mining firms and producers of clean technology, as well as their economic implications. 
 
“As a mining engineer, people might expect me to work more directly with the mines, but my focus is on mining and mineral economics,” she says. “It’s important to look at the bigger picture, including global priorities like energy security, and understand how policy will shape our industry to help in the development of solutions — while also engaging in international forums and collaborations to promote strategies for energy transition.” 
 
The lab’s scholars will meet monthly and participate in presentations and discussions. They will also have networking opportunities and receive information about grants, potential legislation and conferences related to their research areas. 
 
Orleans-Boham’s advisor for her research at S&T is Dr. Mahelet Fikru, an S&T professor of economics. She is co-advised by Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, chair and Union Pacific/Rocky Mountain Energy professor of mining and explosives engineering at S&T. 
 
For more information about Missouri S&T’s mining engineering programs, visit mee.mst.edu. 

About Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.