The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NASA are partnering to map critical mineral resources in the United States. The USGS is collaborating with the Arizona Geological Survey as part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to map critical minerals in Arizona. The project, which will receive over $3.1 million in funding, aims to advance scientific innovation and map critical minerals essential to the nation's supply chains, economy, and national defense. The collaboration will involve an airborne geophysical survey of the Arizona copper porphyry belt, known for its significant deposits of copper and molybdenum. The high-resolution data collected will help identify potentially concealed mineral resources and complement ongoing surveying efforts by the Arizona Geological Survey. The survey will include the collection of magnetic and radiometric data to map rocks both on the surface and underground. The Earth MRI program seeks to improve knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and identify areas with undiscovered critical mineral resources, with the goal of enhancing domestic mineral supply and reducing reliance on foreign sources. In addition to Arizona, the USGS has also announced funding for mapping critical mineral resources in New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Alaska as part of the Earth MRI program. NASA is conducting the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx) in collaboration with the USGS to locate stores of minerals vital for electronics manufacturing, the U.S. economy, and national security. The mission involves flying NASA's ER-2 and Gulfstream V business jets over the American Southwest, collecting hyperspectral images to identify critical minerals. The goal is to reduce dependence on foreign supplies of electronics, currently dominated by China. The mission aims to increase knowledge of undiscovered deposits of critical and strategic minerals in the United States.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing $167 million for the construction of a new USGS Energy and Minerals Research Facility at the Colorado School of Mines. The facility, expected to be completed in fall 2026, will bring together USGS scientists and Mines faculty and students to address critical mineral and energy challenges. The partnership aims to strengthen critical minerals supply chains, develop a sustainable energy supply, modernize mapping, tackle legacy pollution, and promote a hydrogen economy. The facility will house state-of-the-art laboratories and collaboration spaces and will be occupied by around 250 USGS researchers and 170 Mines faculty and students. The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS, and Colorado School of Mines.
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