South dakota school of mines and technology project title: rapid adaptive prescreening and integrated downhole sensing for rare earth elements (rapid-REE) DE-FOA-0003592 (rocks) control number:…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded South Dakota School of Mines & Technology a $3.518 million cooperative agreement on July 15, 2026, to develop and test integrated sensing technologies for rapid identification and mapping of rare earth element and critical mineral deposits across the United States under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135).

The RAPID-REE project integrates three sensing layers to accelerate ore deposit characterization and reduce feasibility study timelines. Radio-frequency imaging from truck-mounted or stationary surface antennas will detect electromagnetic property changes in subsurface rock formations. Slim-borehole RF antennas positioned between drillholes will fill spatial gaps in survey coverage. Compact downhole instruments employing light and X-ray spectroscopy will directly measure rare earth element minerals on borehole walls. The work directly supports U.S. energy security and technological leadership by improving access to materials critical for energy infrastructure, electronics, and national defense.

Performance occurs in Rapid City, South Dakota, with a period of performance running from July 15, 2026, through July 14, 2029. The award obligates $3.518 million against the Cooperative Agreement DEAR0002165, issued under the ROCKS funding opportunity announcement (DE-FOA-0003592).

South dakota school of mines and technology project title: rapid adaptive prescreening and integrated downhole sensing for rare earth elements (rapid-REE) DE-FOA-0003592 (rocks) control number: 3592-1539 the rapid-REE project will develop and test a new way to find and map rare earth element (REE) and other critical mineral deposits in the united states faster and at lower cost, combining three sensing layers (1) radio-frequency (RF) imaging from the surface, using truck-mounted or stationary antennas to see changes in the electromagnetic properties of the rocks at depth; (2) RF antennas in slim boreholes that look outward from the well to fill in gaps between drillholes; and (3) compact downhole instruments that use light and x-rays to directly measure REE minerals on the borehole wall. Rapid-REE will help transform ORE deposit characterization, shorten feasibility studies for REE and critical minerals, and strengthen U.S. Energy security and technological leadership by improving access to the materials needed for energy security, electronics, and national defense.