CMEC

Overview

The Critical Minerals Exploration Consortium (CMEC), based in Golden, Colorado, is NACE Corp’s exploration powerhouse, building a portfolio of over 200 world-class projects by 2040. Operating at the heart of America’s geoscientific hub, near the Colorado School of Mines and USGS/GGGSC, CMEC has unprecedented operational capabilities for mineral exploration. Its mission is to secures world-class critical minerals deposits like lithium, rare earths, and cobalt across the U.S., Canada, Australia, Ukraine, Africa, and Latin America.

Our Approach
Using a “services-for-equity” model, CMEC partners with junior mining companies, replacing speculative, volatile short-termist stock markets with expertise and stability. Our advanced technologies and unprecedented logistical means (200 drilling rigs, AI-driven core logging systems; and airborne and on-the-ground geophycal surveys) accelerate discoveries, targeting minerals under Chinese control in prioity (e.g., rare earths, gallium, antimony, germanium, cobalt, tantales, etc...).

Unprecedented Exploration Capabilities

Drilling

CMEC’s drilling capabilities are unmatched, with 200 state-of-the-art rigs conducting 2 million meters of drilling annually across 15 simultaneous programs (10 U.S., 5 international). Supported by 500 trucks and 300 mobile camps, our operations ensure rapid, precise subsurface analysis in diverse terrains, delivering critical data for mineral exploration.

Geochemestry

CMEC excels in geochemistry, operating 20 mobile geolabs and 50 core shacks to process 3 million assays yearly. Our advanced analytical methods assess mineral composition in rocks, soils, and sediments, providing detailed insights into deposit quality and distribution, essential for strategic decision-making in critical minerals exploration.

Geophysics

CMEC’s geophysics capabilities include 10 helicopters and 10 Cessna Grand Caravans, conducting 150,000 km of high-resolution aerial surveys annually. Combined with ground-based magnetic, gravity, and resistivity methods, we map subsurface structures with precision, identifying high-potential mineral deposits across diverse geological settings globally.

Resources & Reserves Estimation

Leveraging four GPU data centers, CMEC uses AI-driven 3D modeling to compress exploration cycles from 18 to 6-8 months. We integrate geological, geophysical, and geochemical data for accurate resource and reserve calculations, minimizing risk and optimizing project planning for maximum efficiency and reliability.

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Mine Design & Mine planning

CMEC’s mine design and planning services utilize advanced software to create optimized layouts for underground and surface operations. Our team designs safe, efficient mines with detailed sequencing, ventilation, and infrastructure plans, ensuring operational feasibility and cost-effectiveness while prioritizing worker safety and productivity.

Environmental assesment

CMEC conducts comprehensive environmental impact studies, assessing ecological effects of mining activities. We evaluate water, air, and soil impacts, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with global standards like IRMA and ISO 14001, fostering sustainable practices that protect communities and ecosystems throughout the project lifecycle.