Integrated Research Labs and Capabilities
NRRI employs over 140 scientists, engineers, technicians, support staff and students in two industrial research facilities located in northern Minnesota. Our staff and laboratories are integrated across NRRI, and the University of Minnesota.
NRRI Duluth Labs
NRRI Duluth houses NRRI central administration as well as 19 research labs and flexible pilot space to meet the needs of land, wildlife, water and minerals research.
NRRI Coleraine Labs
The NRRI Coleraine facility is a 27-acre site focused on minerals, metallurgy and bio-based research.
Explore our research labs, specialized equipment, expertise and capabilities below:
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Applied Ecology and Resource Management Labs
Forest and Land Group
Water Group
- Freshwater Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Lab
- Lake and Stream Ecosystem Ecology Lab
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Lab
- Environmental Chemistry Lab
- Phytoplankton and Paleolimnology Lab
- Water Treatment Pilot Lab
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Minerals and Metallurgy Labs
Geology and Mineral Opportunities Group
At the NRRI Duluth facility:
- Mineral Characterization Lab
- Economic Geology Lab
- Taconite By-Product Development Lab
Mineral Processing and Metallurgy Group
The Minerals Processing Lab at the NRRI Coleraine Facility includes:
- Extractive Metallurgy
- Mineral Processing
- Pyrometallurgy
- Hydrometallurgy
- Comminution/Benefication
- Metallic Product Development/Alternative Iron-making Technologies
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Materials and Bioeconomy Labs
- Duluth Laboratory
- Biomass Conversion Labs
- Coleraine Pilot and Demonstration
- Applied Chemistry & Chemical Characterization Lab
- Surface characterization Lab
- Surface Modification Chemistry Lab
- Wood Product Development Lab
- Materials Testing Lab
- Agglomeration Technology Lab
- Biorefinery Lab