CMI researchers at Colorado School of Mines and Missouri S&T conducted the activity for highlight
Innovation
CMI researchers set up booths at local festivals and fairs to collect surveys that help understand community perspectives about critical minerals mining and the drivers of social acceptance or opposition.
Achievement
Rural populations are notoriously difficult to survey; this novel method resulted in collection of 350+ surveys in two small towns where new mines are being developed.
Significance and Impact
- The non-targeted (“average people”) survey strategy provides insights that interviews with local leaders and the most engaged residents can miss.
- Results are being analyzed for future academic publication, and a community-oriented report will be shared in each study site.
Hub Target Addressed
Assessing economic, environmental, and social acceptance impacts.
