Images

Isolated silicon specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing metallic luster and crystalline texture.

Isolated silicon metal specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing metallic luster and smooth texture.

High-definition image of silicon metal specimen with fine-grained texture and silvery color.

Isolated sphalerite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing resinous luster and granular texture.

High-definition image of sphalerite specimen with fine-grained texture and metallic sheen.

Isolated spodumene specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing prismatic crystal structure and pale green color.

The List of Critical Minerals Informs: 

• Supply chain risk mitigation 

• Federal policy and strategy 

• Stockpiles 

• Permitting Processes 

Map showing locations of placer mines in the Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF, red crosses), primary mineral districts that contain targeted critical minerals (black boxes) and locations that were sampled by the USGS in 2022 through 2024 (yellow stars).

Key Minerals in Data Centers

Conventional hydrothermal resources occur below the ground where three ingredients combine: heat, water and permeable rock. When heated water or steam is trapped in a porous rock below a layer of less permeable rock, a hydrothermal reservoir is formed.

Infographic of Electric-grade geothermal energy resources of the U.S. 

The USGS has assessed the Nation’s geothermal energy resources since the 1970s, updating assessments to include advancements in technology. An emerging resource is Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).

Enhanced Geothermal Systems are an emerging resource that the USGS studies. To generate electricity from these systems, fractures are engineered into deep, low-porosity hot rocks to allow water to circulate. Then, the heated water is pumped back to the surface, where the thermal energy is used to move a turbine and generate electricity. 

Map of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and nearby areas of Northern Wisconsin, with areas of overflights shaded in yellow (Wisconsin) and green (Michigan).

Mineral Commodities with Net Import Reliance on China

USGS collects the Nation’s data on the global production, supply, demand and trade of minerals to inform strategic policy, trade and land-use decisions.

This map shows the mineral systems map from the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI). Through Earth MRI, USGS brings together federal and state experts to: 

Gallium is used in gallium arsenide and gallium nitride compound semiconductors. There is additional production capacity for gallium outside China with the potential to produce gallium in Germany, Kazakhstan and South Korea in response to China’s gallium export ban to the U.S. 

This infographic introduces an approach that could subsequently be used to prioritize environmental research for the full range of critical elements.

Our science is supporting the low-carbon energy transition.

The National Minerals Information Center:

Schematic diagram of water flow for conventional flotation processing of copper ores from Bleiwas, D.I., 2012, Estimated water requirements for the conventional flotation of copper ores: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012–1089, 13 p., available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20121089

Earth MRI: The First Five Years

The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) is modernizing the Nation’s mapping and geoscience data, benefitting regions, states and local communities.

By the Numbers:

40 States and Territories partnered with Earth MRI