What the Old Lead Belt can teach Missouri about critical mineral mining

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Nicole Smith contributed to this article about how the Old Lead Belt’s long history with mining is set to open a new chapter, as it is poised to be a major player in another mining rush. This time, it will be for critical minerals; the components necessary for making nearly everything in the modern day, such as computers, electric vehicle batteries, other renewable energy materials and national defense systems.  June 20, 2025.