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Slight chemical impurities in fluorspar, also known as fluorite, can make the mineral appear in a variety of colors. Fluorspar is considered a critical mineral by the federal government due in part to its role in producing technology for artificial intelligence data centers and electric vehicle batteries.
Lily Burris
/
WKMS
Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom
Fluorspar mining put Crittenden County on the map 100 years ago. Its importance to AI tech is driving interest in the area again
Lily Burris
The largest known deposit of the critical mineral fluorspar in the United States is underneath parts of far western Kentucky and southern Illinois. Some say its applications in artificial intelligence could reawaken the region’s mining industry.
The Commonwealth
Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom
Lexington/Richmond
Off the Beaten Path with Sam Dick
Eastern Standard
  • Eastern Standard Generic Image
    Tom Martin
    Eastern Standard: April 2nd, 2026
    Tom Martin
    How to push the civility reset button. A thoughtful conversation between two leaders of “Braver Angels,” a nationwide movement with a Kentucky chapter that is working to help people overcome loss of friends and family estrangements to the divisiveness of our times.
  • Ruth Hunt Candies, subject of a play by Cat Goguen, still produced by hand.
    Smiley Pete Publishing
    Eastern Standard: March 26th, 2026
    Tom Martin
    Why AI makes rural access to broadband internet all the more essential. Education contributor Brigitte Blom, in conversation with EKU Artificial Intelligence strategist Lisa Blue.
Kentucky Arts & Culture
Today's Interview
NPR News
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