In a recent article, Raphael Deberdt, a socioeconomic mining expert at Colorado School of Mines, highlighted how the current economic system incentivizes unchecked resource extraction in pursuit of infinite consumption and called for a shift toward a circular economy to reduce the environmental and social damages associated with mining.

Colorado School of Mines and Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa (UNSA) launched the third phase of their collaborative research on sustainable mining. The initiative, supported by $4.2 million in new funding, will explore innovative projects including advanced groundwater modeling, a pilot plant for geopolymer concrete, a nature‐based UPOW wetland treatment system, and rare earth mineral deposit characterization. The research is designed to promote environmental sustainability, enhance local community benefits, and develop new technologies for responsible mining practices.

Colorado School of Mines, in partnership with the American Gem Trade Association, has announced a long-term research initiative aimed at improving transparency, traceability, ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, and human rights practices in colored gemstone supply chains across Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.