Images

An infographic that highlights the ways that the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) gathers multiple types of data, including: topography, geology, geochemistry, geophysics, borehole information, hyperspectral imagery, mine waste and more.

The United States continues to rely on foreign sources for some raw and processed minerals materials, including some critical minerals. This map shows the countries that supply nonfuel mineral commodities for which the United States was greater than 50% net import reliant from 2020-2023.

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

Gif showing increases in Earth MRI mapping data since 2019. You can find all Earth MRI data acquisitions here. 

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from select years. See all acquisitions here. 

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from select years. See all acquisitions here. 

Map showing the 23 mineral systems identified by the Mineral Resources Program and Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from 2019-2021. See all acquisitions here. 

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from select years. See all acquisitions here. 

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from select years. See all acquisitions here. 

Map showing areas within the 23 mineral systems identified by the Mineral Resources Program and Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).

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

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from select years. See all acquisitions here. 

Map showing Earth MRI data acquisitions from select years. See all acquisitions here. 

Mineral Supply Risk Analysis for the 2022 List of Critical Minerals

The USGS leads the government in developing the List of Critical Minerals, using a data-driven methodology to assess mineral supply risk.

Critical minerals are essential the Nation’s economy and security, and have supply chains vulnerable to disruption. 

Pie chart showing relative amounts of copper produced by leading copper producing states in the U.S. in 2019 (derived from data in Flanagan, D.M., 2019, Copper, in Metals and minerals: U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook 2019, v. 1, p. 20.1-20.30.

Global map showing locations of porphyry copper deposits from John, D.A., Ayuso, R.A., Barton, M.D., Blakely, R.J., Bodnar, R.J., Dilles, J.H., Gray, Floyd, Graybeal, F.T., Mars, J.C., McPhee, D.K., Seal, R.R., Taylor, R.D., and Vikre, P.G., 2010, Porphyry copper deposit model, chap. B of Mineral deposit models for resource assessment: U.S.

Pie chart showing copper production in leading copper producing U.S. states in 2020 by Eric Anderson of the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, August 2024

Map showing locations of copper producing mines in the Lower Colorado River Basin, produced by Eric Anderson of the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center on August 19, 2024.

Infographic about critical mineral commodities use in renewable energy, published online by the USGS Office of Communications and Publishing in June 2019.