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ContactProgram Overview
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Mining and Processing Program, managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) for the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office’s (HGEO) Office of Coal, is focused on modernizing domestic coal mining, processing, and subsurface energy recovery to extend the operational life of existing mines and safely recover coal from seams previously considered unmineable. The program directly aligns with the HGEO’s strategic goal of advancing U.S. coal as a reliable, affordable, and dispatchable energy source to stabilize, optimize, and grow the American coal industry, restoring it as a cornerstone of the U.S. energy mix.
To achieve this strategic goal, the Mining and Processing Program seeks to identify and develop a robust portfolio of transformative research and development (R&D) projects designed to improve active operations, unlock previously inaccessible domestic coal resources, and measurably reduce the breakeven price of coal across its supply chain upon commercialization. Specifically, the program aims to accelerate the market adoption of industry-aligned technologies that enhance mine safety, process efficiency, and overall productivity by bridging the gap between fundamental laboratory innovations and pilot-scale field demonstrations. This strategic approach ensures rapid technology transfer, ultimately lowering energy supply costs for the utility and industrial sectors that depend on a secure and reliable domestic coal supply while systematically reducing technical barriers to expanding U.S. metallurgical and thermal coal exports in global markets. Additional context on these strategic goals is available in the HGEO Strategic Plan.
Research and Development Focus Areas
The Mining and Processing Program executes its mission across four primary technical focus areas:
Advanced Coal Mining Safety and Efficiency
This focus area integrates digital tools, including applied sensor systems, super intelligence (SI) tools, automation technologies, and digital twins, to transform mining operations, optimize autonomous systems, maximize safety, and streamline operational throughput in active mine sites.
Advanced Materials Processing and Beneficiation
Advancing technologies is a priority to reduce costs and increase efficiency of processing and beneficiation operations such as advanced dry processing, solid-liquid separation, and byproduct recovery. Research of interest includes developing technologies to reduce dewatering needs, improve dewatering efficiency and cost, and extract or produce value-added coproducts, including critical minerals, from coal waste byproduct streams to generate untapped revenue sources.
Enhanced Subsurface Extraction and Gasification
This focus advances technologies for enhanced coalbed methane recovery and underground coal gasification, as well as other novel concepts to capture energy from difficult-to-mine coal seams.
Strategic Technical Barrier Reduction for Coal Exports
Delivering technical solutions through R&D will seamlessly connect mine sites, processing operations, and transport networks into an optimized system to mitigate supply chain bottleneck risks in export operations for U.S. metallurgical coal and thermal coal.
Why This Work Matters
The modernization of domestic coal mining and processing is vital to unleashing U.S. energy dominance, strengthening national energy security, and providing the nation with affordable, reliable, and secure energy.
- Secures Reliable Base-Load Energy
Stabilizes the national power grid by ensuring a consistent, dependable, and dispatchable fuel supply for utility and industrial operations. - Accelerates Infrastructure Modernization
Upgrades existing generation facilities and expands export-related logistical pathways to ensure long-term operational reliability.
- Supports High-Quality Jobs and Economic Opportunity
Supports good-paying employment across the U.S. and fosters workforce development. - Expands Global Trade Pathways
Reduces technical barriers to scale up domestic metallurgical and thermal coal exports while strengthening trade partnerships with allied nations.
- Pioneers Advanced Technology and Efficiency
Lowers risks by integrating advanced autonomous systems, robotics, and super intelligence into mining operations. - Unlocks Deep Subsurface Coal Reserves
Enables in situ energy recovery from deep coal seams through underground gasification, enhanced coalbed methane, and other in situ technologies.
Program Approach
NETL partners with industry, universities, other national laboratories, and research organizations to move ideas from concept to real-world deployment. The Mining and Processing Program’s approach combines applied research, field testing, and strategic partnerships to transition advanced coal technologies into the marketplace.
Research and Development
Conduct applied research and testing to advance mining technologies.
Pilot-Scale Field Demonstrations
Validate and scale up advanced systems under real-world, non-simulated mining conditions.
Technology Transfer
Transition proven innovations to support adoption and actual impact.
External Partnerships
Collaborate with industry, academia, advisory committees, and communities to solve shared challenges.
Intra-Agency and Interagency Collaborations
Collaborate across DOE, the National Laboratories, and other U.S. government agencies.
- Strengthen federal coordination between DOE and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through a Memorandum of Understanding to share non-proprietary data, research, and technical expertise that supports the deployment of next-generation mining technologies.
- Foster collaboration between DOE and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under an active Memorandum of Understanding to share occupational safety research, technical information, and expertise that advance worker safety and health in subterranean mining operations.
News and Announcements
DOE Regional Coal Workshops Draw Large Industry Turnout to Guide Future Strategy
March 2026 - DOE concluded its winter series of Regional Coal Workshops across Arizona, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and North Dakota. Attended by over 325 stakeholders, with more than 40% representing private industry, the feedback gathered will directly guide the HGEO’s strategy for supporting domestic production and expanding export pathways.
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DOE and DOL Partner to Advance Mining Innovation and Safety
July 2026 - DOE and DOL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a framework to accelerate the deployment of super intelligence (SI), automation, advanced sensors, and other emerging technologies across the nation’s mining sector.
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National Coal Council Releases Two Reports that Closely Align with HGEO's Coal Research Priorities
July 2026 - Two new reports released by the National Coal Council reinforce HGEO's mission and ongoing work. The reports provide recommendations to strengthen America's coal industry through innovation, investment, and domestic and global expansion.
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HGEO Office of Coal Met with Foreign Delegations to Promote U.S. Coal
Summer 2026 - In May, Representatives from Malaysia's Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) visited Signal Peak Energy's Bull Mountains mine in Roundup, MT alongside DOE officials. In June, HGEO co-led a bilateral South Korean delegation visit including participation in the Montana Coal Summit. Additionally, HGEO co-hosted a delegation from India’s Ministry of Coal at NETL Pittsburgh and in Washington, D.C., in July. These visits illustrate the continued relevance of U.S. coal across global markets.
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