The upgraded system—centered around the HySpex Mjolnir VS-620 sensor—enables centimeter-scale spectral resolution across the visible and short-wave infrared spectrum. This investment is part of a broader strategy to enhance research on Wyoming’s critical mineral reserves, particularly those found in coal seams and waste streams.
“Every mineral has a unique spectral thumbprint,” said James Amato, associate research professional and division manager at the Viz Center. “This allows for accurate identification and mapping of mineral compositions, even in complex or visually uniform geological settings.”
SER’s research team spent the summer mastering field deployment and data post-processing workflows. Full deployment of aerial services is expected in 2026, with laboratory analysis on core samples beginning later this year. The new tools will feed into ongoing critical mineral projects through the Center for Economic Geology Research and bolster SER’s competitiveness in future federal grant opportunities.
The University of Wyoming is not alone. A growing number of U.S. universities are investing in hyperspectral imaging and geospatial analytics to support domestic mineral security, advanced manufacturing, and environmental monitoring. These programs often intersect with Department of Energy (DOE), USGS, and Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives targeting rare earth elements (REEs), lithium, and other materials essential to the energy transition.
Colorado School of Mines (CSM) – Golden, Colorado: CSM collaborates closely with USGS on the Center for Advanced Subsurface Earth Resource Models (CASERM) and supports hyperspectral and geophysical surveys across the Rocky Mountain region. It is a strategic partner for Wyoming and shares its focus on building public-private research pipelines.
University of Arizona – Tucson, Arizona: Home to the Remote Sensing Group, the university applies UAV-based and airborne HSI systems for mapping lithium and other strategic minerals. Its industry alignment makes it a major player in data-driven exploration.
University of Nevada, Reno: The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) is applying HSI to geothermal sites and lithium brine systems. Their work is tightly integrated with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Mapping Reources Initiative, which also supports Wyoming-based surveys.
Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, Virginia: Virginia Tech’s Center for Critical Minerals focuses on extracting rare earths from coal waste, similar to the goals of SER. Their partnerships with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) advance lab-scale processing and imaging techniques.
Montana Tech – Butte, Montana: With strengths in legacy mine reclamation and applied geospatial science, Montana Tech is exploring how HSI and UAVs can map abandoned mine lands and tailings sites across the Northern Rockies.
Wyoming’s Viz Center stands out for being the only facility in the state equipped with advanced airborne HSI capabilities. With research-ready infrastructure, cross-sector partnerships, and statewide field access, it is strategically positioned to:
“These capabilities provide a robust platform for innovative research and strategically position the Center to offer commercial geospatial data services in the foreseeable future,” said Kyle Summerfield, program manager at the Viz Center.
Future collaborations are being developed with the Colorado School of Mines, Wyoming State Geological Survey, and the U.S. Geological Survey, which maintains a national spectral library critical to mineral classification efforts.
