About the Mining Industry of the Future
Through the Industries of the Future initiative, the Department of Energy, Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) has established numerous successful partnerships between private industry and the Federal government. Mining has been identified as a target industry for the Industry of the Future initiative, with initial emphasis on partnerships to develop technologies for mining and processing minerals and materials.
The Mining Industry Team was formed within ITP to facilitate mining industry/Federal government partnerships. This team will leverage resources available to established ITP teams (such as the Chemicals Team and the Steel Team), the rest of the Department of Energy (such as the Office of Fossil Energy and the Office of Geothermal Technologies), as well as the many other federal and state agencies which interact with the mining industry, to strengthen the contributions of the Mining Team and to bring new ideas to the service of the mining industry.
All ITP industry partnerships are industry driven and industry-led, and seek to meet industry needs for the future within the framework set by the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy. Industry and government work together through these partnerships on pre-competitive technology R&D to enhance energy security, minimize environmental impacts from production (including "greenhouse" emissions), and promote economic well-being.
A compact was signed between the Department of Energy and the National Mining Association in June 1998. The Mining Industry Vision (PDF 141 KB) (Download Adobe Reader) was published in September of 1998.
Mining Annual Report
Our 2004 Annual Report on the Mining Industry of the Future describes the current situation facing the industry, including challenges and opportunities. The report also provides information on the mining research portfolio, highlights and accomplishments from 2004, and how industry can get involved in ITP activities. Download the report (PDF 1.1 MB) Download Adobe Reader.