National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States

Abstract

Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) launched the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to modernize the surface and subsurface geologic mapping of the United States, with a focus on identifying areas that may have the potential to contain critical mineral resources. EarthMRI can inform strategies to ensure secure and reliable domestic critical mineral supplies for the United States as mandated by Executive Order 13817 and the Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–58, 135 Stat. 529). Earth MRI is a collaborative effort between the USGS and the State geological surveys as represented by the Association of American State Geologists to identify, prioritize, and acquire new geoscience data for geographic areas, or focus areas, across the Nation that have potential to host critical mineral resources. Mapping of focus areas was based on a framework of mineral systems and their associated mineral deposit types that could possibly host critical minerals. Using readily available geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and mineral deposit data, teams of USGS scientists worked with representatives of State geological surveys in a series of workshops to outline focus areas that contain evidence of key features for one or more mineral systems. These areas can be used to guide future efforts to collect new geologic, geophysical, geochemical, and topographic data that focus on critical minerals through Earth MRI.