Mineral Resources Program
Support Activities
Laboratories provide geochemical, mineralogical, and geophysical data to help characterize and improve understanding of mineral resources and materials. Diverse technique and methods development support our Program’s research and provide data to other land management agencies and the public. Comprehensive data storage and digital delivery systems serve mineral resource and related data to USGS scientists and the general public.
Browse Support Activities science related to:
Isotope and Chemical Methods for Mineral and Geoenvironmental Assessments and Support of USGS Science Strategy
This Project integrates several geochemical tools—stable isotope geochemistry, noble gas geochemistry, active gas geochemistry, single fluid inclusion chemistry, and fluid inclusion solute chemistry—in studies of the processes that form mineral deposits and the processes that disrupt them during mining or natural weathering. Research is directed toward fundamental scientific questions or, in...
Radiogenic and Stable Isotope Methods
Our work focuses on collaborating with high-priority U.S. Geological Survey projects and other Federal and international agencies, and on providing radiogenic and stable isotope analyses to support mineral- and environmentally-related geologic investigations.
Non-Traditional Stable Isotopes
Understanding the genesis of ore deposits and their behavior in the environment is a subject of great importance to the Nation. A relatively new tool to aid in these efforts to investigate the origin and environmental effects of ore deposits is the use of "heavy" metal stable isotopes. Our research objectives are to utilize various isotopic systems to advance our understanding of ore genesis...
Development of USGS Geochemical Reference Materials
The project focus will be the development of traditional and microanalytical reference materials that support USGS geochemical investigations. Development of new microanalytical reference materials allows USGS scientists and outside customers to examine a greater range of sample types while maintaining a high degree of data reliability.
Alaska Databases and Information Analysis
We provide GIS and database support for Alaska-based research projects, including database design, data capture, and maintenance, GIS analysis and display, and production of datasets and metadata for publication and data releases.
Databases and Information Analysis
Our objectives are to: 1) collect and assimilate digital geospatial data in a standardized format for minerals-related research and assessments, 2) develop and improve analytical procedures for using geospatial data in minerals products, 3) provide support for timely, quality, and reproducible mineral assessments, 4) provide easy access to the data, and 5) report results of our work in a...
Data Information Management and Technology - Eastern Minerals
The Data Information Management and Technology project provides geographic information systems (GIS) management and technical support to projects of the Eastern Minerals and Environmental Resources Science Center (EMERSC). The project facilitates geospatial data development, compiling, documentation, visualization, analyses, modeling, and product requirements using the GIS framework.
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GIS and Information Management - Central Minerals
We support the geospatial component of Mineral Resources Program research and provide public access to research results and geospatial information. We facilitate all aspects of the data life cycle, including the publication and archiving of geospatial information and products. We also develop and steward national-scale data layers considered foundational to the Mineral Resources Program as...
Data Management and Information Analysis - Crustal
We provide geographic information system (GIS) support and analysis, manage geospatial data collections including documentation and distribution for several dataset types (geophysical, remote sensing, geochemical). We update currently unpublished geophysical survey data to a standardized, open-data format, document, and release the data to the public. We investigate methods development, mobile...
Application of Plasma Ionization Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
This project will allow us to (1) develop innovative analytical techniques for isotope geochemistry and U-Pb geochronology using plasma ionization mass spectrometry and (2) apply our new analytical techniques to collaborative research projects of high priority to the Mineral Resources Program, including studies related to the U.S. midcontinent region and Alaska, and/or processes related to the...
Development and Validation of Hyperspectral Imager for Field and Lab Scanning
The Mineral Resources Program has advanced methods of imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral remote sensing) that are now used routinely by the earth science and remote sensing communities for mineral mapping, soil quality mapping, hazard mitigation, and other terrestrial and planetary applications. The USGS is highly qualified to advance this technology based on its world class expertise in...
Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Laboratories - Mineral Resources
The USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory provides chemical analysis and characterization of rocks, minerals, and environmental samples in support of a wide variety of USGS projects related to mineral resources, including research projects funded by the USGS Mineral Resources Program. The research applications for these projects range from mineral resource research and assessments, to geologic...