A fluorite-lepidolite-wolframite vein intersected in drill core from the Lost River Sn-W mine, Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica, and wolframite an ore of tungsten.
Alaska Critical Mineral Resource Assessments Active
By Alaska Science Center
December 21, 2023
Alaska has potential for a wide range of critical minerals including, but not limited to, graphite, lithium, tin, tungsten, rare earth elements, and platinum-group elements.
Return to Geology
The USGS is tasked with conducting domestic resource assessments for “critical” minerals – minerals/commodities that are of high societal need and have high vulnerability to supply disruption. Many of these critical minerals are vital for a carbon-neutral economy or niche technological applications. This project aims to learn more about how deposits of these minerals form and apply that to identification of geologically permissive areas for mineralization. The assessments will utilize the most up-to-date geologic maps, geochemistry, geophysics, and mineral site data that are available to the USGS and public.
Flake graphite is a major component of anode in lithium-ion batteries but is entirely imported by the US as of 2022. Efforts are ongoing to compile an inventory of known flake graphite occurrences and deposits in the US and assess undiscovered resource potential in Alaska and the Conterminous US. This will include the Seward Peninsula, where Graphite Creek, the largest flake graphite deposit in the US, is located. Earth MRI-funded aerial electromagnetic surveys over the Kigluaik, Bendeleben, and Darby mountains (in progress) will elucidate graphite mineralization in the region to aid the assessment.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
In addition to graphite, an assessment of lithium, the eponymous component of Li-ion batteries, will begin in FY24. Although no lithium deposits are currently known in Alaska, exploration of tin granite/greisen systems for lithium potential is ongoing, and statewide and national geologic potential for these and similar system types (e.g. lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites) will be investigated. Brines and clays enriched in lithium, such as those closed lacustrine basins or associated with oil and gas reservoirs, will be studied in the Conterminous US.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Critical mineral veins
A fluorite-lepidolite-wolframite vein intersected in drill core from the Lost River Sn-W mine, Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica, and wolframite an ore of tungsten.
Graphite Creek adit
USGS Geologist Susan Karl investigates an outcrop of massive flake graphite (dark gray rock) at the Graphite Creek deposit located on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. An adit, a horizontal passage leading into a mine for the purposes of access or drainage, from historical mining is visible in the corner.
USGS Geologist Susan Karl investigates an outcrop of massive flake graphite (dark gray rock) at the Graphite Creek deposit located on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. An adit, a horizontal passage leading into a mine for the purposes of access or drainage, from historical mining is visible in the corner.
USGS geologist recording data on graphite mineralization in core sample
USGS geologist George Case is recording data on graphite mineralization in core sample from the Graphite Creek deposit in Nome, Alaska. The purpose of this research is to determine the genesis and key attributes of the world class large flake Graphite Creek deposit on the western Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
USGS geologist George Case is recording data on graphite mineralization in core sample from the Graphite Creek deposit in Nome, Alaska. The purpose of this research is to determine the genesis and key attributes of the world class large flake Graphite Creek deposit on the western Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Graphite Creek, namesake of the Graphite Creek deposit
The Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, crops out here at Graphite Creek. Mining in this area previously took place from roughly 1900-1916. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US relies entirely on imports.
The Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, crops out here at Graphite Creek. Mining in this area previously took place from roughly 1900-1916. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US relies entirely on imports.
Navigating a slippery slope at Graphite Creek Deposit
Geologist, Sue Karl, at Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. She is making field observations and measurements about the flake graphite deposit and the surrounding host rocks. These observations were used in developing a model of flake graphite genesis. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US depends entirely on imports.
Geologist, Sue Karl, at Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. She is making field observations and measurements about the flake graphite deposit and the surrounding host rocks. These observations were used in developing a model of flake graphite genesis. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US depends entirely on imports.
Evidence of previous exploration
A geologist, George Case, stands in front of an adit, an entrance to an underground mine, in the Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
A geologist, George Case, stands in front of an adit, an entrance to an underground mine, in the Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
A Seward Peninsula Vista
Scenic view of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Photo taken from a ridge above Graphite Creek, looking northwest towards the Imruk Basin. This area of the Seward Peninsula holds the largest graphite deposit in the US known as the Graphite Creek Deposit.
Scenic view of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Photo taken from a ridge above Graphite Creek, looking northwest towards the Imruk Basin. This area of the Seward Peninsula holds the largest graphite deposit in the US known as the Graphite Creek Deposit.
Kigluaik Mountains Gneiss Dome
View of the Kigluaik Mountains gneiss dome which is the location of the Graphite Creek Deposit. The rocks of the gneiss dome were metamorphosed to as high as granulite facies during the middle Cretaceous (ca. 100 – 90 Ma), forming flake graphite ore in the process.
View of the Kigluaik Mountains gneiss dome which is the location of the Graphite Creek Deposit. The rocks of the gneiss dome were metamorphosed to as high as granulite facies during the middle Cretaceous (ca. 100 – 90 Ma), forming flake graphite ore in the process.
Alaska has potential for a wide range of critical minerals including, but not limited to, graphite, lithium, tin, tungsten, rare earth elements, and platinum-group elements.
Return to Geology
The USGS is tasked with conducting domestic resource assessments for “critical” minerals – minerals/commodities that are of high societal need and have high vulnerability to supply disruption. Many of these critical minerals are vital for a carbon-neutral economy or niche technological applications. This project aims to learn more about how deposits of these minerals form and apply that to identification of geologically permissive areas for mineralization. The assessments will utilize the most up-to-date geologic maps, geochemistry, geophysics, and mineral site data that are available to the USGS and public.
Flake graphite is a major component of anode in lithium-ion batteries but is entirely imported by the US as of 2022. Efforts are ongoing to compile an inventory of known flake graphite occurrences and deposits in the US and assess undiscovered resource potential in Alaska and the Conterminous US. This will include the Seward Peninsula, where Graphite Creek, the largest flake graphite deposit in the US, is located. Earth MRI-funded aerial electromagnetic surveys over the Kigluaik, Bendeleben, and Darby mountains (in progress) will elucidate graphite mineralization in the region to aid the assessment.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
In addition to graphite, an assessment of lithium, the eponymous component of Li-ion batteries, will begin in FY24. Although no lithium deposits are currently known in Alaska, exploration of tin granite/greisen systems for lithium potential is ongoing, and statewide and national geologic potential for these and similar system types (e.g. lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites) will be investigated. Brines and clays enriched in lithium, such as those closed lacustrine basins or associated with oil and gas reservoirs, will be studied in the Conterminous US.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Critical mineral veins
A fluorite-lepidolite-wolframite vein intersected in drill core from the Lost River Sn-W mine, Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica, and wolframite an ore of tungsten.
A fluorite-lepidolite-wolframite vein intersected in drill core from the Lost River Sn-W mine, Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Lepidolite is a lithium-bearing mica, and wolframite an ore of tungsten.
Graphite Creek adit
USGS Geologist Susan Karl investigates an outcrop of massive flake graphite (dark gray rock) at the Graphite Creek deposit located on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. An adit, a horizontal passage leading into a mine for the purposes of access or drainage, from historical mining is visible in the corner.
USGS Geologist Susan Karl investigates an outcrop of massive flake graphite (dark gray rock) at the Graphite Creek deposit located on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. An adit, a horizontal passage leading into a mine for the purposes of access or drainage, from historical mining is visible in the corner.
USGS geologist recording data on graphite mineralization in core sample
USGS geologist George Case is recording data on graphite mineralization in core sample from the Graphite Creek deposit in Nome, Alaska. The purpose of this research is to determine the genesis and key attributes of the world class large flake Graphite Creek deposit on the western Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
USGS geologist George Case is recording data on graphite mineralization in core sample from the Graphite Creek deposit in Nome, Alaska. The purpose of this research is to determine the genesis and key attributes of the world class large flake Graphite Creek deposit on the western Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Graphite Creek, namesake of the Graphite Creek deposit
The Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, crops out here at Graphite Creek. Mining in this area previously took place from roughly 1900-1916. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US relies entirely on imports.
The Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, crops out here at Graphite Creek. Mining in this area previously took place from roughly 1900-1916. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US relies entirely on imports.
Navigating a slippery slope at Graphite Creek Deposit
Geologist, Sue Karl, at Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. She is making field observations and measurements about the flake graphite deposit and the surrounding host rocks. These observations were used in developing a model of flake graphite genesis. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US depends entirely on imports.
Geologist, Sue Karl, at Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. She is making field observations and measurements about the flake graphite deposit and the surrounding host rocks. These observations were used in developing a model of flake graphite genesis. Graphite is a critical mineral which the US depends entirely on imports.
Evidence of previous exploration
A geologist, George Case, stands in front of an adit, an entrance to an underground mine, in the Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
A geologist, George Case, stands in front of an adit, an entrance to an underground mine, in the Graphite Creek Deposit on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
A Seward Peninsula Vista
Scenic view of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Photo taken from a ridge above Graphite Creek, looking northwest towards the Imruk Basin. This area of the Seward Peninsula holds the largest graphite deposit in the US known as the Graphite Creek Deposit.
Scenic view of the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. Photo taken from a ridge above Graphite Creek, looking northwest towards the Imruk Basin. This area of the Seward Peninsula holds the largest graphite deposit in the US known as the Graphite Creek Deposit.
Kigluaik Mountains Gneiss Dome
View of the Kigluaik Mountains gneiss dome which is the location of the Graphite Creek Deposit. The rocks of the gneiss dome were metamorphosed to as high as granulite facies during the middle Cretaceous (ca. 100 – 90 Ma), forming flake graphite ore in the process.
View of the Kigluaik Mountains gneiss dome which is the location of the Graphite Creek Deposit. The rocks of the gneiss dome were metamorphosed to as high as granulite facies during the middle Cretaceous (ca. 100 – 90 Ma), forming flake graphite ore in the process.