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We lead the government in developing the List of Critical Minerals.
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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?
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.
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News
Utah and Navajo Nation Geologic Mapping Partnership
Utah and Navajo Nation Geologic Mapping Partnership
Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology of northeast Nevada
Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology of northeast Nevada
From Earth to Sky: How Minerals Create the Dazzling Colors of Independence Day Fireworks
From Earth to Sky: How Minerals Create the Dazzling Colors of Independence Day Fireworks
Publications
Exhumation history of the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado, from mid- to low-temperature thermochronology: New insights into Laramide contraction and Oligocene–Miocene extension in the northern Rio Grande rift, USA Exhumation history of the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado, from mid- to low-temperature thermochronology: New insights into Laramide contraction and Oligocene–Miocene extension in the northern Rio Grande rift, USA
The Sangre de Cristo Range in southern Colorado records a complex tectonic history that includes Late Cretaceous–Eocene Laramide contraction and Oligocene–Quaternary Rio Grande rift extension. We present new thermochronologic data (40Ar/39Ar, fission-track, (U-Th)/He) and thermal history models that provide insight into this polyphase history and spatiotemporal patterns of extensional...
Regional characterization of coal resources in the Gulf Coast Coal Region—In support of coal as a potential source for critical minerals and rare earth elements Regional characterization of coal resources in the Gulf Coast Coal Region—In support of coal as a potential source for critical minerals and rare earth elements
There is increasing interest in extracting critical minerals (CM), including rare earth elements (REE), from coals in the United States to address the overreliance on imported REE. The Gulf Coast and the Fort Union regions are the two major lignite-bearing regions within the United States. Recent REE and CM studies of the lignite in these regions have indicated that the coals may be a...