What are critical minerals?
We lead the government in developing the List of Critical Minerals.
We lead the government in developing the List of Critical Minerals.
Modernizing Mapping
The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is modernizing mapping of the Nation's geology and critical mineral resources.
The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is modernizing mapping of the Nation's geology and critical mineral resources.
Mineral Supply Chains
The National Mineral Information Center (NMIC) is the authoritative source of mineral resource information, including statistics on mineral production, trade and supply chain risks.
The National Mineral Information Center (NMIC) is the authoritative source of mineral resource information, including statistics on mineral production, trade and supply chain risks.
Educational Resources
Dive into lesson plans, activities, infographics, fact sheets and other materials related to Mineral Resources Program science.
Dive into lesson plans, activities, infographics, fact sheets and other materials related to Mineral Resources Program science.
Connect with Us
Mineral Resources Program
We are the Nation’s primary source of scientific information about the full life cycle and supply chains of mineral resources, including critical minerals. Our science is essential to responsibly managing natural resources and to procuring minerals needed to sustain and advance modern manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and energy production.
Our Data
Our Data
Explore our featured geologic data, mineral assessments, life cycle research and mineral supply chain analyses.
Our Science
Our Science
Click each topic below to explore the impact of our science.
News
Media Alert: Low-level airplane flights to scan geology over parts of four Midwestern states
Media Alert: Low-level airplane flights to scan geology over parts of four Midwestern states
Interior Department releases final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
Interior Department releases final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology over eastern Maine
Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology over eastern Maine
Publications
Depth of magma crystallization and fluid exsolution beneath the porphyry-skarn Cu deposits at Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro, New Mexico, USA Depth of magma crystallization and fluid exsolution beneath the porphyry-skarn Cu deposits at Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro, New Mexico, USA
The depth level at which porphyry Cu–forming magmas fractionated and exsolved mineralizing fluids is actively debated. In the classic model, extensive magma fractionation occurs in large, upper crustal magma chambers, and concomitant fluid exsolution leads to forceful expulsion of residual magmas in the form of porphyry dikes, stocks, and breccia pipes, which subsequently serve as...
RioM-1: A new calcite reference material for U-Pb LA-ICP-MS geochronology RioM-1: A new calcite reference material for U-Pb LA-ICP-MS geochronology
Determining absolute ages of carbonate diagenesis, faulting, fossil formation, speleothem growth, carbonate-hosted hydrocarbon deposits, vein mineralisation and hydrothermal alteration has become increasingly accessible through LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of calcite, complementing traditional isotope dilution methods still applicable to certain materials (e.g., speleothems via micro-drilling)...
Widespread anhydrite saturation in Laramide-age arc magmas of southwestern USA Widespread anhydrite saturation in Laramide-age arc magmas of southwestern USA
Anhydrite is considered a rare mineral phase in magmas, with only ∼33 documented occurrences worldwide. However, anhydrite readily decomposes in the near-surface environment, making it difficult to recognize its former presence in rocks collected at or near Earth’s surface. In such samples, only small anhydrite inclusions fully shielded within other minerals can have survived. During a...
Science
Analytical Chemistry
The USGS Mineral Resources Program and other USGS scientists need specialized routine analysis in order to conduct their research. The Analytical Chemistry project facilitates the ability of USGS scientists to obtain needed analyses.
Alaska Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
Our objective is to provide a strategic framework for planning, coordination, and execution of the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) in Alaska. Earth MRI aims to improve knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework through new geological and geophysical mapping and to identify areas that have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.
What are Critical Minerals?
Critical minerals are essential to the economy and national security of the Nation and have supply chains that are vulnerable to disruption. The USGS leads the Federal government in developing the List of Critical Minerals and provides crucial and rich information about critical mineral availability, supply chains, and economic impacts. The USGS uses a cross-sectoral and data-driven approach to...