UGA host Georgia Essential Minerals (GEMS) Workshop on February 1st.

Georgia Essential Minerals (GEMS) Workshop - Sponsored by: University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Georgia Institute of Technology

The University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia State University, in collaboration with the Georgia Mining Association, will host an inaugural workshop on Georgia partnerships for Essential Minerals (GEMs). The one-day workshop is planned for Thursday, Feb. 1, at the University of Georgia Hotel and Conference Center. 

The first in a series of critical mineral workshops, hosted in rotation by the partner institutions, will look to link the research capabilities of the Georgia R1 research universities and the mature mining industry in Georgia and will focus on the production of the critical mineral resource, rare earth elements (REE), from kaolin mine tailings, overburden, and other potential processing streams. The event will bring together 45 participants from academia, industry, and government to discuss the opportunities and challenges around critical mineral supplies in the state and in the nation. 

Georgia leads in the production of fuller's earth, kaolin, and iron oxide pigments. It is a major producer of barite, dimension stone, and feldspar. It produces cement, common clay, construction sand and gravel, crushed stone, gemstones, and mica.