NSF Regional Engine
SMILE: SUSTAINABLE MINING INNOVATION &
LIFESTYLE enrichment Ecosystem
what is smile engine?
The Sustainable Mining Innovation & Lifestyle Enrichment (SMILE) engine is an initiative establishing collaborative ecosystems among research institutions, governments, nonprofits, industry partners, and communities to drive regional economic development and investment in Southern Arizona.
Demand for minerals is at unprecedented levels, due to global energy transitions, population growth, and increasing wealth. Healthy communities and responsible mining techniques are crucial to U.S. geopolitical and defense strategies as the urgency for domestic mineral supply intensifies.
The Sustainable Mining Innovation and Lifestyle Enrichment regional ecosystem is transforming these challenges into opportunities by developing underserved rural communities into innovation testbeds, in the heart of Southern Arizona, the Silicon Valley of mining.
LEARN HOW MINING FUELS ARIZONA ECONOMIES
A community & lifestyle enRICHMent ecosystem driven by
industry
Southern Arizona hosts over 400 major hardrock and aggregate mines with over 200 mining technology suppliers.
academia
Local school districts and Arizona's state and land-grant universities lend expertise and outreach into local communities.
government
City and local governments, and chambers of commerce provide critical civic infrastructure support and advance legislative frameworks.
