Mining has a negative public perception, stemming from a robust history of environmental destruction, resource depletion, and harsh working conditions. However, since most environmentally friendly technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles, require mined rare earth elements, also referred to as rare earths, the potential for sustainable mining has become an increasingly popular discussion. With the increase in mineral and element demand required for new technological developments, a new strain has been put on the mining community: how can they mine sustainably, efficiently, and innovatively, meeting this large demand, while prioritizing the needs of an equitable modern market? The mining community in Georgia provides insights into the potential Georgia has to shift the narrative to a more sustainable one.
As of 2025, the state of Georgia is ranked 13th in the country for mineral production, being valued at 2.7 billion USD, according to a Newsweek study. The most mined mineral, kaolin, makes Georgia recognized as a world leader in mining, production, processing, and application of Kaolin products, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The mineral has a wide variety of functions, including being used as a high-brightness paper coating, a natural filler in manufacturing polymeric materials, which make up many man-made and natural materials, in agriculture as crop and solar protectants, wastewater treatments, and pharmaceutical mixtures. In addition, kaolin is used in technology production and is predominantly popular in the construction of fiberglass, which is used to create electric circuit board substrates and catalyst carriers that are pivotal for fracking petroleum, according to Developments in Clay Science. Researchers discovered that kaolin is made up of a variety of rare earth minerals, which can be extracted when kaolin is refined, bringing new attention to the mineral and its potential impact on the state.
Dr. Bobby Harris, a Georgia Tech Assistant Professor of Economics, detailed Georgia’s production of kaolin ore. He outlined how Georgia provides an interesting perspective on mineral and rare earth mining because Georgia’s kaolin ore contains more rare earths than other deposits. Still, extracting these rare earths using current mining processes reduces the efficiency of kaolin production, so it is currently more affordable and efficient to import rare earths from other countries and continue to mine kaolin ore in Georgia. However, Georgia Tech research and technological advancements might bring a new era to mining where co-production of both is possible. Because of the decrease in quality when attempting to mine both simultaneously, it is currently more affordable and efficient to import rare earths from other countries and continue to mine kaolin ore in Georgia. However, Georgia Tech research and technological advancements might bring a new era to mining where co-production of both is possible.
Laura Taylor, Director of the Energy Policy and Innovation Center at Georgia Tech and a Professor of Economics, shared the power that research institutions like Georgia Tech can bring to the table. Taylor explained, “Maybe there is a role for the federal government to subsidize the recovery of rare earth to diversify our supply chains–a strategic national goal.” A recent executive order, EO 14156, from the new presidential administration, similarly depicts mining’s role in national security. The order includes increasing U.S. mining through regulatory action and reducing the amount of imported minerals. This regulatory shift would require the collaboration of industry partners, substantial congressional funding, interagency coordination, and a careful navigation of the legalities involving environmental regulations. At the same time, this policy shift represents a potential for changing mining culture to balance the goals of the nation’s economy, with the needs of the environment.
Expanding sustainable mining brings challenges, especially when regarding the state of Georgia. Dr. Harris proposed a scenario that encapsulates the dilemma. If Georgia has the rare earths that are critical to sustaining these advancing technologies, there is more inclination for industry partners to invest in more efficient mining processes, helping change the mining industry for the better and allowing sustainable innovation. If Georgia is just another actor in the mining realm, and cheaper options still exist elsewhere, there would be little to no interest in changing the sphere partners interact with today. This uncertainty would be unlikely to provide investors with the confidence needed to undergo innovative mining. Harris added, “It wouldn’t make sense for Georgia to do this alone. Maybe it makes sense for the federal government to provide some incentives for critical mineral development if it believes uncertainty is delaying investment in critical mineral extraction and production. The advantage of the federal government doing this over the state is that it will encourage firms to pursue rare earth or critical minerals in the places in the US with the highest potential/least cost, which may or may not be in Georgia.”
Taylor is confident that the federal government has an opportunity that should be seized and stated, “We should be investing in research to advance technology and processes that can change the economics. Technological advances are adopted because they change an equation and make an activity more beneficial [and] more profitable. The issue is that the industry often does not have the resources to invest in this research and development, which signifies the important role of state and federal influence and funding.
“With innovation and expansion of an economy that relies on rare earth elements and other critical minerals, Georgia can be an example to other states of how to balance a strong economy, high quality of life, and environmental protection.” – Lee Lemke
The Georgia Mining Association’s Executive Vice President, Lee Lemke, discussed his confidence in what more innovation could mean for the state and the industry. He said, “I can’t think of a state better positioned to play a leading role in the national rare earth mineral supply chain. We have mineral resources that can be developed, and the industries that use rare earth elements are continually moving into our state. Currently, the only missing link is a facility to process the rare earth minerals into the intermediate forms utilized in manufacturing processes. Such a facility could be developed in Georgia, or we can work with groups in nearby states to establish a regional economic powerhouse.”
The Georgia Mining Association, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, The University of Georgia, and many corporations, state, and Federal agencies have established the Georgia Essential Minerals (GEMs) Partnership to promote research, pursue federal funding, and advance commercialization of rare earth and other critical mineral resources. This partnership involves including all stakeholders in the conversation and funding of where the mining industry will go in future years.
This opportunity could bring a variety of impacts to the state: a potential increase in sustainability efforts, more efficient mining practices, further development of research to focus on technological advancement in the sector, economic strength to the Southeast region, and perhaps most importantly: the potential for all stakeholders to work together to bring needed reform to the industry, setting Georgia and the nation up for industry advancement.