We lead the government in developing the List of Critical Minerals.
We provide detailed mapping and foundational data related to geology and mineral resources.
We assess energy and mineral resources, including in energy and mine wastes.
Minerals and American Energy: what's the connection and how is our science helping?
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Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area
We lead the Nation’s geologic mapping and provide impartial scientific information on geologic resources and their supply chains. Our work includes leading the development of the List of Critical Minerals, assessing domestic and foreign energy and mineral resources, and mapping areas with resource potential.
Our science informs key investments and crucial resource management decisions to support a strong, secure and sustained Nation.
Our Research Programs
Our Research Programs
Our Programs deliver actionable science about the Nation's geology and geologic resources.
Our Science
Our Science
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News
Media Alert: Low-level airplane and helicopter flights to scan geology over southern, central New Mexico
Media Alert: Low-level airplane and helicopter flights to scan geology over southern, central New Mexico
Value of U.S. mineral production rose last year, driven by precious metals prices
Value of U.S. mineral production rose last year, driven by precious metals prices
Low-level helicopter flights to image geology over Wyoming and Colorado
Low-level helicopter flights to image geology over Wyoming and Colorado
Publications
Rare earth element potential in coal and coal ash in the U.S. Gulf Coast Rare earth element potential in coal and coal ash in the U.S. Gulf Coast
United States heavy reliance on imports of critical minerals (CMs), including rare earth elements (REEs), underscores the importance of development of domestic sources. The study objective was to quantify CM and REE concentrations in coal and coal ash in the US Gulf Coast region. CM and REE concentrations were measured for 118 samples from outcrops and 14 mines in the Gulf Coast. Results...
Insights into Mountain Pass carbonatite formation from in-situ sulfur isotopes and geochemistry of sulfate and sulfide minerals Insights into Mountain Pass carbonatite formation from in-situ sulfur isotopes and geochemistry of sulfate and sulfide minerals
The Mountain Pass carbonatite stock hosts a world-class rare earth element deposit and may be classified as a carbonate-sulfate igneous rock, as it contains on average > 50 volume percent carbonate minerals and 20 to 30 volume percent sulfate minerals. The sulfates range in composition from barite to celestine and locally occur with sparse sulfide minerals. We investigate the origin of...
Utilization of multiple geochronology techniques to constrain the age of laterization and mineralization of the world-class Mount Weld rare earth element deposit, Western Australia Utilization of multiple geochronology techniques to constrain the age of laterization and mineralization of the world-class Mount Weld rare earth element deposit, Western Australia
Pervasive chemical weathering on stable cratons may form thick regoliths and elemental enrichment, but constraining the age of regolith formation is challenging. In this study we utilize multiple geochronological techniques on different minerals from the world-class Mount Weld rare earth element (REE) deposit, formed by lateritic weathering of a carbonatite, to constrain the age of...