The technology related to prosthetics has evolved significantly throughout the last decade, due to the application of certain mined metals. In particular, today’s artificial limbs are not only more functional, but they can perform in more natural human-like ways that substantially impact the quality of life for people who use prosthetics. 

These advancements extend beyond the day-to-day to highly advanced sport apparatuses and exploring brain-computer interface to dictate movement. CBS News demonstrates the impact of innovative technological breakthroughs in this industry.  

Access to Raw Materials and Mined Metals

Mining is good for Alaska because it provides access to the raw materials needed to produce metal-based prosthetics. Common metals used in prosthetic devices include titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum.

Mining for Lightweight and Durable Materials

Mining materials and metals, especially titanium and its alloys, have revolutionized the prosthetic industry by providing lightweight and durable materials. These alloys are strong and corrosion-resistant, making them suitable for long-term use in the human body.

Improved Structural Integrity

Metal-based prosthetic material offer improved structural integrity and mechanical strength, enabling them to withstand the stresses and strains of daily activities. This allows prosthetic limbs to be more functional and less prone to damage.

Customization and Precision

Mined metals can be easily molded and shaped, allowing for greater customization and precision in designing prosthetic materials and components. Prosthetists can create personalized solutions that fit the individual patient's anatomy and provide better comfort and functionality.

Reduced Volume and Bulkiness

Metal components allow for thinner and sleeker designs, reducing the overall volume and bulkiness of prosthetic devices. This not only enhances the aesthetics of the prosthesis but also improves the user's mobility and ease of movement.

Osseointegration

Titanium is a mined metal that is commonly used for osseointegration, which is a surgical technique that involves integrating a prosthetic implant directly into the bone, bypassing the need for a socket-based interface. Titanium is a metal commonly used for osseointegrated prosthetics. This method improves the connection between the prosthesis and the body, resulting in enhanced stability, better load transfer, and improved comfort for the user.

Longevity and Wear Resistance

Metal prosthetic materials and components exhibit excellent wear resistance and can withstand prolonged use, reducing the need for more surgeries or frequent replacements. This benefits both the patient in terms of cost-effectiveness and the overall sustainability of the prosthetic industry.

Advancements in Prosthetic Joints

Metal-based materials have facilitated the development of sophisticated prosthetic joints that can replicate more natural movements. These advanced joints can provide greater mobility and flexibility to prosthetic users, significantly improving their quality of life.

Biocompatibility

Many metals used in prosthetics, such as titanium, are biocompatible, meaning they are well-tolerated by the human body and do not cause adverse reactions or allergies.

Quality and Purity of Metals

‍The quality and purity of mined materials and metals are essential for the production of safe and reliable prosthetics. Impurities or variations in the composition of metals can compromise the structural integrity and biocompatibility of prosthetic devices, leading to potential health risks for the users. Because of this, Alaska-mined metals are held to a higher standard.

Why Mining Makes Advances in Prosthetics Possible

Titanium makes prosthetics lighter. That’s what lets someone move through a crowd without dragging weight behind them or climb a flight of stairs without wobbling. These metals shape the feel of movement and function.

But they don’t appear out of thin air. Mining materials like titanium, cobalt, and vanadium are needed to build parts strong enough to last and light enough to wear. Recycling helps, but it won’t cover growing demand—not for high-purity metals like these.

This is why mining is good for Alaska. Pulling these resources and mining materials takes a kind of care that modern miners use every day, including water use, permitting, and site restoration. It’s not guesswork. It’s measured and steady.

So while people are walking on replacement limbs made from Alaska’s titanium, most don’t know the trail that got it there. That matters. Because each step on that leg is proof that raw material turned into something better. Alaska helped build that.