Branagan has faced that kind of tunnel vision throughout his career, which began with an undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1990.

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Decades later, in September 2008, Bhappu, who has degrees in metallurgical engineering and mineral economics, led a group that included Goldman Sachs to purchase Molycorp from Chevron.

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After growing up in Socorro, New Mexico, Bhappu got degrees in metallurgical engineering at the University of Arizona, and a PhD in mineral economics from the Colorado School of Mines.

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