Source, transport and deposition of critical minerals using trace metal and isotope systematics: Denver High Resolution Laboratory Active

Science Issue and Relevance

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Critical minerals are essential for technology including green energy, defense, and communication, but our Nation is dependent on sources that may have potential supply chain disruptions. Identifying the sources of critical minerals and the chemical and physical processes that concentrate them is a primary objective of the Mineral Resources Program. This is a major task because it is a new focus in economic geology and a complex problem. To make significant strides towards this goal, innovative applied research techniques must be coupled with more traditional tools. Advancement in analytical capability beyond nontraditional stable isotopes has presented the opportunity to focus on specific analytical method development and application of high precision isotope ratio and trace metal measurements by laser ablation and solution introduction.

Methods to Address Issue

The project objective is to develop and apply solution and in situ isotopic and trace element methods that have emerging applications in understanding processes controlling critical mineral deposits, metal mobility, and other geological problems. We will use solution multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) expertise to develop precise and accurate simultaneous or stand-alone trace metal and isotope measurements and multiple solution isotope systematics. The significance of our new capability for in situ split flow measurements focuses on concurrent processes in otherwise complex systems. The project: 

1. provides new capabilities for constraining chemical and geological processes that influence mineral deposit formation, 

2. develops a better understanding of heavy metal mobilization, migration and pathways into the ecosystems and waterways, 

3. works in collaboration with existing projects to support USGS goals. 

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Project work is conducted through several tasks:  

1. Laboratory facility management 

2. High spatial resolution single and dual isotopic analyses determining chemical and geological processes related to ore deposit formation 

3. Trace metals, ligands and concurrent isotope ratios measurements in complex mineral systems of potentially strategic significance 

4. High precision solution isotope ratios for mineral deposit and metal transformation and mobility studies 

5. Assessing metal mobility and migration in ore deposits, waters, and abandoned mine areas 

6. Innovative isotopic applications to constraining ore-forming processes of REE deposits 

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.