Dr. Paul Schroeder has been awarded the UK–US Critical Minerals Research Partnership Grant

Congratulations to Dr. Schroeder, who has been awarded the UK-US Critical Minerals Research Partnership Grant

The University of Georgia’s Dr. Paul Schroeder (Professor of Clay Mineralogy in the Department of Geology) has been awarded an ELEMENTAL Catalysing New UK–US Critical Minerals Research Partnership grant to advance research on the Rare Earth Element (REE) potential of kaolin deposits in Cornwall, England. This international collaboration seeks ways to compare REE resources in Georgia’s world-class kaolin deposits with those in the United Kingdom, supporting the development of more sustainable and resilient supply chains for critical minerals. Dr. Schroeder is partnering with scientists at the Natural History Museum in London, as well as academic and industry collaborators across both nations. The project is also part of the UGA Geology Georgia First program, which focuses on identifying and responsibly producing critical minerals from existing mining infrastructure. Dr. Schroeder is partnering with Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and the Georgia Mining Association for Growing Resilience in America’s Critical Mineral Economy (GRACE). Kaolin has long been a key industrial mineral in both the U.S. and the UK, used in ceramics, paper coatings, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. With growing demand for REEs in clean energy and high-tech manufacturing, this research supports emerging government priorities aimed at strengthening domestic supply and environmental stewardship.

The effort contributes to the UK’s development of an Engineering Biology Hub focused on innovative, circular-economy approaches for metal recovery and industrial biotechnology.

Georgia First partnerships for Essential Minerals (GEMs)