Images

Schematic of the Chino porphyry copper (Cu) mine, New Mexico, showing the outline of the open pit operations, how it is attributed in the USMIN Mineral Deposit Database and how indium extracted from this deposit are used.

Map of the published sites within the USMIN Mineral Deposit Database, shown as yellow points.

Schematic diagram showing how mine waste features were captured and attributed as part of their inclusion in the new National Mine Waste Inventory data release (https://doi.org/10.5066/P148EEUA).

Map of the locations of mine waste features included in the current version of the National Mine Waste Inventory data release (https://doi.org/10.5066/P148EEUA).

Critical Mineral Crossword Puzzle: Manganese

Manganese is listed as a "critical mineral". Learn about where we get manganese and how we use it by solving the crossword puzzle clues!

More information:

USGS Mineral Resources Program color by number for the critical mineral graphite.

USGS Mineral Resources Program coloring page for cassiterite and the critical mineral tin.

The mineral cassiterite, chemical formula SnO₂, is the most important mineral source for the critical mineral tin. Fun facts: tin is one of the earliest metals used by humans! The chemical symbol for tin, Sn, comes from its Latin name, stannum.

USGS Mineral Resources Program coloring page for the critical mineral barite.

Barite, chemical formula BaSO₄, is a critical mineral. Fun fact: barite is one of the heaviest minerals that isn't a metal.

Critical Mineral Crossword Puzzle: Rhenium.

Rhenium is listed as "critical mineral". Learn about where we get rhenium and how we use it by solving the crossword puzzle clues!

More information

USGS Mineral Resources Program coloring page for the mineral galena and the critical mineral lead.

USGS Mineral Resources Program Critical Mineral Word Scramble Puzzle: Tantalum

Critical Minerals Coloring Sheet: lepidolite

The critical mineral lithium is sourced from lithium brines, spodumene (LiAlSi₂O₆), petalite (LiAlSi₄O₁₀), and lepidolite (a Li-rich mica). Fun fact: lithium is the lightest metal!

Abandoned mine, including exposed shaft and mine dump features, located outside of Boulder, Montana.

Screenshot of initial view for geonarrative, "Investigating the mineral potential of the Boulder batholith", available at https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/investigatebbmineralpot/.

Frame from a short video is of a post laser ablation crater using a nanosecond 193nm laser ablation system of a glass slide using a 210 micron spot diameter and 250 shots.  It shows a flat bottom crater indicative of a homogenized laser beam, though the measured diameter of the crater appears to be 25 microns smaller the diameter set.  The 3D crater image

This infographic introduces an approach that could subsequently be used to prioritize environmental research for the full range of critical elements.

Pie chart showing relative amounts of copper produced by leading copper producing states in the U.S. in 2019 (derived from data in Flanagan, D.M., 2019, Copper, in Metals and minerals: U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook 2019, v. 1, p. 20.1-20.30.

Global map showing locations of porphyry copper deposits from John, D.A., Ayuso, R.A., Barton, M.D., Blakely, R.J., Bodnar, R.J., Dilles, J.H., Gray, Floyd, Graybeal, F.T., Mars, J.C., McPhee, D.K., Seal, R.R., Taylor, R.D., and Vikre, P.G., 2010, Porphyry copper deposit model, chap. B of Mineral deposit models for resource assessment: U.S.

Photograph of Ray Copper Mine, Arizona, taken by USGS Emeritus Mark Coker, September 1, 2007. Revised for USGS Webpage carousel for brightness, sharpness, contrast, color saturation, and cropping.

Table of annual water use in acre-feet per year by major copper mines in Arizona from 2004-2008 published by Singh (2010)

Map showing locations of copper producing mines in the Lower Colorado River Basin, produced by Eric Anderson of the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center on August 19, 2024.