MinFrame - Methodological infrastructure needed for resource assessment, modeling, and evaluation Active
Assessing the mineral resources of the United States represents a core function of the Energy and Minerals Mission Area since the inception of the U.S. Geological Survey under the Organic Act of 1879. As reaffirmed by the Energy Policy Act of 2020, assessment of identified and undiscovered resources of critical mineral commodities continues to form a focal point of the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) research activities. This project is designed to drive innovation in mineral assessment workflows, making the mineral resource assessment process more efficient, accurate, and transparent. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver useful results to stakeholders and answer fundamental questions on the mineral endowment of the United States and the Earth.
Science Issue and Relevance:
This project is designed to drive innovation in mineral assessment workflows, making the mineral resource assessment process more efficient, accurate, and transparent. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver useful results to stakeholders and answer fundamental questions on the mineral endowment of the United States and the Earth.
Methodology to Address Issue:
The overall objective of this project is to develop the digital infrastructure needed to carry out quantitative mineral resource assessments in an efficient, effective, and timely manner. Building upon the legacy of the Development of Assessment Techniques and Analysis Project (DATAP) and leveraging the experience of the Mineral Resource Assessment Training (MRAT) participants, this project will collaboratively lend support to new and ongoing regional to national assessment projects throughout the MRP. The project is organized around five key outcomes. The tools and techniques needed to achieve the outcomes are categorized by task. Although there is some overlap between tasks, these activities work in concert to provide adaptable workflows applicable to any resource assessment project. Planned products will be highly dependent on MRP prioritization of assessments being conducted. Long-term products will include items such as data releases for machine readable grade and tonnage models with accurate locations, assessment tool software releases and toolboxes, prioritized lists of assessments, documented methodologies, and additional updated training materials.
Mineral Resource Assessment Training
Development of Assessment Techniques and Analysis Project II (DATAP II)
Porphyry copper deposits and prospects in the Andes Mountains of South America
Rock-to-metal ratio: A foundational metric for understanding mine wastes
- Overview
Assessing the mineral resources of the United States represents a core function of the Energy and Minerals Mission Area since the inception of the U.S. Geological Survey under the Organic Act of 1879. As reaffirmed by the Energy Policy Act of 2020, assessment of identified and undiscovered resources of critical mineral commodities continues to form a focal point of the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) research activities. This project is designed to drive innovation in mineral assessment workflows, making the mineral resource assessment process more efficient, accurate, and transparent. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver useful results to stakeholders and answer fundamental questions on the mineral endowment of the United States and the Earth.
Science Issue and Relevance:
This project is designed to drive innovation in mineral assessment workflows, making the mineral resource assessment process more efficient, accurate, and transparent. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver useful results to stakeholders and answer fundamental questions on the mineral endowment of the United States and the Earth.
Methodology to Address Issue:
The overall objective of this project is to develop the digital infrastructure needed to carry out quantitative mineral resource assessments in an efficient, effective, and timely manner. Building upon the legacy of the Development of Assessment Techniques and Analysis Project (DATAP) and leveraging the experience of the Mineral Resource Assessment Training (MRAT) participants, this project will collaboratively lend support to new and ongoing regional to national assessment projects throughout the MRP. The project is organized around five key outcomes. The tools and techniques needed to achieve the outcomes are categorized by task. Although there is some overlap between tasks, these activities work in concert to provide adaptable workflows applicable to any resource assessment project. Planned products will be highly dependent on MRP prioritization of assessments being conducted. Long-term products will include items such as data releases for machine readable grade and tonnage models with accurate locations, assessment tool software releases and toolboxes, prioritized lists of assessments, documented methodologies, and additional updated training materials.
- Science
Mineral Resource Assessment Training
The USGS Mineral Resources Program conducts mineral resource assessments and is training USGS scientists in how to conduct these assessments for future work. As a practical exercise, the scientists will conduct an assessment for tungsten in the U.S.Development of Assessment Techniques and Analysis Project II (DATAP II)
The Development of Assessment Techniques and Analysis Project (DATAPII) objective is to modernize the application and development of USGS mineral resource and integrated multiresource assessment methodologies and capacity that are applicable at a variety of spatial and temporal scales, and national and international in scope. - Data
Porphyry copper deposits and prospects in the Andes Mountains of South America
The Andes Mountains of South America host significant porphyry copper deposits. The region is the major global source of copper and an area of active mining, exploration, and development. The Andes region was included in USGS global compilations of porphyry deposits published by Singer and others in 2005 and 2008. Since that time, many new discoveries and new resource data have become available. T - Publications
Rock-to-metal ratio: A foundational metric for understanding mine wastes
The quantity of ore mined and waste rock (i.e., overburden or barren rock) removed to produce a refined unit of a mineral commodity, its rock-to-metal ratio (RMR), is an important metric for understanding mine wastes and environmental burdens. In this analysis, we provide a comprehensive examination of RMRs for 25 commodities for 2018. The results indicate significant variability across commoditieAuthorsNedal T. Nassar, Graham W. Lederer, Jaime L. Brainard, Abraham De Jesus Padilla, Joseph D. Lessard