Michigan Tech Enterprise students show off projects from the past year.
The Copper Country’s mining heritage drew federal attention this week as the U.S. Department of Energy announced a significant investment in Michigan Technological University’s groundbreaking research.
Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson toured the campus Tuesday to witness how students and industry leaders are building the nation’s energy future. The visit highlighted the region’s strategic importance to federal energy initiatives.
“Everything from mining on the moon to different forms of energy to real world solutions,” Robertson said. “Just innovative ideas on how we can take technology and turn it into practical application for things we need.”
Michigan Tech received $1,035,309 to develop a new iron recovery process from low-quality waste material. The university was one of 12 projects selected nationally to research low-grade ore recovery through the Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Office innovation grant program. Only universities with accredited mining programs qualified for ore-recovery funding. Michigan Tech was among the first in the nation to establish a mining program at the college’s founding. In 2026, the office selected 56 projects overall to research topics from chemical and fuel innovations to electrification of industrial heat.
Michigan Tech students explain their work in the Mine Ventilation Lab.
The university has earned recognition over many decades for developing professionals with strong skills, and an adaptive nature. The university has developed such a reputation through an emphasis on hands on learning opportunities.
“We’re glad to see the research happening here is being recognized, such as the million dollars announced this morning,” said Michigan Tech President Richard Koubek. A career fair coming soon will draw over 350 companies to campus.
During her tour, Robertson visited the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering’s mine ventilation lab and the Department of Physics’ PI Cloud Chamber.
Dr. Michelle Scherer, dean of the College of Engineering, highlighted the university’s rare capabilities. “We have a foundry. Very few universities have a foundry. We have a unit operations lab that’s three stories high for mineral processing,” Scherer said. “We’re ready to help the nation transition to the next energy phase.”
Revex COO Mike Cleveland shares progress on the company’s REV Nickel Project with Robertson.
Robertson also met with Revex Technologies leaders to discuss mining production and reclamation. The company received a separate $145 million grant in 2025 for the REV Nickel Project with the Eagle Mine, which aims to produce sustainable nickel concentrate from discarded mine tailings and recycled lithium-ion batteries.
Since receiving the grant, Revex has identified multiple partners and created a workforce development plan to add 115 new positions in mining and mineral processing.
“For this type of project we really have to have the labor union support because there aren’t those skilled trades,” said Mike Cleveland, chief operating officer at Revex.
Robertson emphasized a critical gap: the U.S. is falling far behind China in mining education. In 2026, fewer than 300 American students earned mining degrees, while China produced more than 3,000.
“The Department of Energy recognizes the need for more professionals in mining and material sciences,” Robertson told Revex’s founders. The federal investment reflects growing recognition that domestic mineral production is essential to American energy independence and economic competitiveness.
