Montana Tech students, faculty explore mining industry on immersive summer trek through Montana and Alaska

Montana Technological University students Sadie Elmore and Halle Cogley recently returned from an intensive, hands-on summer trek through Alaska, where they explored key aspects of the mining industry alongside peers from Northwestern University.

The experience was part of the Global Engineering Trek (GET) to Indigenous North America, a program funded by McCormick School of Engineering’s Global Initiatives at Northwestern University. Montana Tech has a continuing research partnership with Northwestern University on critical minerals and has participated in the Trek the past two years. Designed for undergraduates of all majors, the program offers students a chance to gain exposure to critical mineral mining, energy storage technologies, and the social and environmental effects of mining. Participants also engage with indigenous communities and local stakeholders to understand diverse perspectives and sustainable practices in mining.

Cogley, an environmental engineering student and graduate researcher in phytomining, had joined the program the previous year for a trek to Chile focused on international mineral supply chains. Her familiarity made her a natural fit to step into a leadership role for the Alaska portion of the experience.

The Alaska portion of the trip included stops in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, with a mix of educational and cultural experiences. In Anchorage, students visited the headquarters of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation that owns and operates the Red Dog Mine—one of the world’s largest zinc mines—in partnership with Teck Alaska Inc.

Students also visited the University of Alaska Anchorage to tour a biomining lab studying how glacier- and hot spring-derived bacteria may aid in mineral extraction. In Fairbanks, the group toured the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, attended the Midnight Sun Festival, and hiked in Denali National Park. Their final stop was Hecla Mining Company’s Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island near Juneau—a silver-producing underground mine located within a national monument.

“They’re incredibly careful about environmental impact,” said Cogley. “Forty-six percent of the  tailings are backfilled underground, minimizing their surface footprint.”

The trip impacted Elmore and her considerations for her future career.

“This experience impacted me and sparked my interest in the mining industry, an industry that I haven't learned much about and that honestly, I haven't had a lot of interest in. I think that the Greens Creek Mine tour inspired me to learn more about the mining industry and consider a future career in the mining industry,” said Elmore, a junior in environmental engineering from Castle Rock, Colorado.

In addition to industry exposure, Elmore said the relationships formed were just as valuable. “My favorite part was getting to know the students from Northwestern,” she said. “Not only did I get to meet students from all walks of life, with all different interests, passions, and aspirations, but I got to know the students from Montana Tech.”

Before the Alaska leg, the broader group—including seven students from Northwestern—toured Montana Resources in Butte and Sibanye-Stillwater Metallurgical Complex in Columbus. Dr. Robin Bullock, director of the Center for Environmental Remediation and Assessment at Montana Tech, said these industry connections are essential.

“It’s so valuable for students to engage with Montana Tech alumni and professionals working in critical minerals,” Bullock said. “It shows students where their education can lead—and why it matters.”

Bullock also emphasized the generosity and time shared by industry professionals throughout the experience.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the individuals who made these visits possible—Jeremy Fleege at Montana Resources, Kevin Mitchum at Stillwater, and the teams at Greens Creek and NANA,” Bullock said. “Their willingness to host our students and share their expertise plays a big part in shaping the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

 “I love the opportunity to invest in the next generation of professionals from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines,” said Kevin Mitchum who works in the Environmental Department for Sibanye Stillwater. “When we, as industrial leaders, take the time to showcase the right way to develop, mine, process, and recycle critical metals responsibly, we don’t just shape the future of our industry; we build a foundation of trust, sustainability, and innovation. This is a great opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into what it takes to transform raw material into essential resources. After all, it’s only rock until the critical metals are upgraded through a series of metallurgical processes, including crushing, flotation, smelting, and refining. It’s always exciting to see how engaged the students are during these tours and the insightful questions they ask.”

"It was exciting to welcome students from both Montana Tech and Northwestern to our Greens Creek operation,” Community Relations Specialist with Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Chelsea Flint said. “For many, this was their first experience visiting an operational mine, which was especially rewarding. Throughout their visit, we were able to show students how a modern mining operation can operate responsibly and sustainably within a sensitive environmental area.”

Both Cogley and Elmore agreed the experience was transformative.

“These experiences are what make a difference—not just in your education, but in shaping your whole perspective,” Cogley said. “I think it’s amazing that, through the partnership between Montana Tech and Northwestern University, we have the chance to see the world and our role in it.”