[FISH] Quin Miller (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

“The Mine of the Future: Geochemical Engineering for Recovery of Subsurface Energy and Materials”

This seminar will explore ongoing work at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to develop new targeted mining approaches critical minerals and materials (CMMs) that are widely distributed across the U.S. These formations are typically excluded from conventional reserve estimates because they occur at low concentrations, outside active ore bodies, or within formations not traditionally evaluated as mineral resources. In situ mining approaches for selective dissolution and recovery of CMMs wherein the focus is on moving fluids, not rocks, will be discussed for several lithologies and target CMMs. This new paradigm for predictive control of geochemistry is a key component of the Earth as a Reactor framework, in which subsurface thermal and chemical potentials are leveraged to drive downhole mobilization, separations, and recovery operations. This approach also allows for production of preexisting and stimulated energy sources alongside CMM recovery, offsetting costs and valorizing waste streams.

Quin Miller is a Senior Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), where he focuses on subsurface science and the development of new approaches for accessing critical mineral resources. His work advances strategies for engineering fluid–rock interactions in geologic systems, with applications to energy and resource technologies. In parallel, Miller plays a leading role in mentoring and workforce development at PNNL, helping build internship programs that have trained cohorts of students across DOE initiatives. He is the recipient of the inaugural 2025 U.S. Department of Energy Distinguished Mentor Award for Workforce Development.

Friday Informal Seminar Hour —

Postdoc-run seminar series within the Earth Resources Laboratory (ERL). Features talks by ERL members as well as special guests from academia and industry on earth science and energy transition topics including geothermal energy, carbon sequestration, geologic hydrogen, and critical minerals / in situ mining.

Contact:  fish_seminar_organizers@mit.edu