Images

2025 List of Critical Minerals

The 2025 List of Critical Minerals includes 60 critical minerals. 50 of these were also included on the 2022 List of Critical Minerals, and 10 are new. There are 15 rare earth elements included on the List. 

This picture illustrates a BSGMC participant student poster presented at GSA. 

Terri Zach, University of Kentucky, Geology of the Survey Peak 7.5' Quadrangle, Wyoming: Using Detailed Mapping to Reconstruct the Paleo-Topography of the Northern Teton Range and Implications for the Paleo-Teton Collapse Hypothesis.

This is an image of the top two winners from the competition holding their awards along with contest sponsors. 

This picture illustrates a BSGMC participant student poster presented at GSA. 

Terry Lee from the University of Nevada, Reno, 1:24,000-Scale Geologic Map of the Western Half of the Franklin Lake NW 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Ruby Mountains-East Humboldt Range Metamorphic Core Complex, Northeast Nevada.

This picture illustrates a BSGMC participant student poster presented at GSA. 

David Canova, University of Barcelona, Salt structures in the Eastern External Betics fold and thrust belt, SE Iberia—Geologic maps, cross sections, and palinspastic reconstructions. 

This is an image of the sign that was placed at the 2025 GSA annual meeting to designate the USGS NCGMP-hosted BSGMC. 

Alaska Science Center Data Management staff organize, scan, and digitally archive physical data. Once published as part of a data release, the physical data are organized and placed into banker boxes, labeled with pertinent information, such as the data release DOI, and moved to a secure location.

Isolated USGS mineral specimen featuring almandite garnet and calcite. High-definition image showing crystal structure and contrasting color.

Beryllium ore specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing granular structure and pale color.

High-definition image of calcite and sphalerite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. Image shows layered structure and metallic inclusions.

Isolated ferrochromium specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing metallic texture and silvery color.

High-definition image of low-carbon ferrochromium specimen showing fine-grained metallic texture.

High-definition image of an isolated cobalt specimen from the USGS mineral collection, showcasing its metallic luster, dense structure, and bluish-gray coloration.

Isolated high-resolution image of columbite-tantalite ore, a mineral specimen from the USGS collection, highlighting its granular texture and crystal structure.

Isolated fluorite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing cubic structure and vibrant color.

High-definition image of fluorspar specimen showing translucent texture and pale purple color.

Isolated garnierite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing greenish hue and fibrous texture.

Isolated germanium specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing metallic luster and smooth surface.

High-definition image of refined germanium metal specimen showing shiny surface and silvery color.

High-definition image of gold ore specimen with visible mineral inclusions and rough surface.

Isolated gold ore specimen from Carlin-type deposit. High-definition image showing fine-grained texture and subtle gold content.