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Minerals

USGS provides science and data on the occurrence and distribution of geologic resources, including current and future mineral resources and their wastes. USGS also addresses environmental and socioeconomic effects of geologic resource occurrence, extraction, use, and disposal; and global supply, demand, and trade in nonfuel mineral commodities.

International Minerals Science Highlights

Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative

critical mineral map

The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.

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Conflict Minerals Science

Artisanal miners digging a mining pit using simple tools such as shovels, buckets and water pumps.

The USGS has collaborated with several international organizations working to track and monitor illegal mining and armed groups funded by natural resources around the world.

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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

International Minerals Science Highlights

USGS provides science and data on the occurrence and distribution of geologic resources, including current and future mineral resources and their wastes. USGS also addresses environmental and socioeconomic effects of geologic resource occurrence, extraction, use, and disposal; and global supply, demand, and trade in nonfuel mineral commodities. USGS provides reliable information to answer your...
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International Programs
International Minerals Science Highlights

International Minerals Science Highlights

USGS provides science and data on the occurrence and distribution of geologic resources, including current and future mineral resources and their wastes. USGS also addresses environmental and socioeconomic effects of geologic resource occurrence, extraction, use, and disposal; and global supply, demand, and trade in nonfuel mineral commodities. USGS provides reliable information to answer your...
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A collection of diamonds recovered from mines sites along the Birim River in Ghana.

Special Geologic Studies: Artisanal and small-scale mining of conflict minerals

This project focuses on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of minerals and gemstones globally and the illegal mining and transport of these natural resources. Project scientists employ field mapping, geomorphological techniques, and remote sensing to map, monitor, and evaluate mineral deposits and ASM activities in conflict zones and during complex emergencies. The research is directly applied...
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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, International Programs
Special Geologic Studies: Artisanal and small-scale mining of conflict minerals

Special Geologic Studies: Artisanal and small-scale mining of conflict minerals

This project focuses on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of minerals and gemstones globally and the illegal mining and transport of these natural resources. Project scientists employ field mapping, geomorphological techniques, and remote sensing to map, monitor, and evaluate mineral deposits and ASM activities in conflict zones and during complex emergencies. The research is directly applied...
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