Allen Andersen, PhD
Allen is a Research Geologist with the GMEG Science Center in Spokane, WA. His research focuses on magmatic and hydrothermal ore-forming processes of critical mineral deposits and geochemistry applied to the assessment of economically valuable mineral resources.
More specifically, Allen’s work focuses on the geology of rare earth element (REE) deposits, the behavior of REE in fluids and carbonatite magmas, and mineral resources associated with Paleogene magmatism across western North America. Allen also maintains interest in the formation of magmatic ore deposits enriched in platinum-group elements, chromium, nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, titanium, and vanadium.
Current USGS Research Projects·
- 2023–Present: Multidisciplinary Investigations of REE Mineralization at Mountain Pass and in the Southeast Mojave Desert, California
- 2021–Present: Evaluation of Critical Elements in Carbonatites
- 2021–Present: Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)
- 2019–Present: Systems Approach to Critical Minerals Inventory, Research, and Assessment
Former USGS Research Projects
- 2019–2020: Critical Elements in Carbonatites: From Exploration Targets to Element Distribution
- 2018–2022: Critical Commodity Studies, Stillwater Complex, Montana
- 2019–2020: Mineral Resource Assessment Training (Tungsten skarn)
Science and Products
Critical Elements in Carbonatites: From Exploration Targets to Element Distribution
Critical elements are essential to the modern economy and have potential supply chain disruptions, but compared to most base and precious metals, little work has been done in understanding ore-grade enrichments. Carbonatites are the primary source of the worlds light rare earth elements and niobium, and a potential source for heavy rare earths, scandium, tantalum, and thorium. Project objectives...
Mineral Resource Assessment Training
The USGS Mineral Resources Program conducts mineral resource assessments and is training USGS scientists in how to conduct these assessments for future work. As a practical exercise, the scientists will conduct an assessment for tungsten in the U.S.
Critical commodity studies, Stillwater Complex, Montana and Duluth Complex, Minnesota
Scientific research can make our resource assessments of critical minerals more effective. This project focuses on the Stillwater Complex, Montana, which has rocks enriched in platinum-group elements (PGE), chromium, cobalt, and nickel. Project objectives are to update databases, evaluate new mapping techniques, document new styles of mineralization, and document and support research on the...
Science and Products
Critical Elements in Carbonatites: From Exploration Targets to Element Distribution
Critical elements are essential to the modern economy and have potential supply chain disruptions, but compared to most base and precious metals, little work has been done in understanding ore-grade enrichments. Carbonatites are the primary source of the worlds light rare earth elements and niobium, and a potential source for heavy rare earths, scandium, tantalum, and thorium. Project objectives...
Mineral Resource Assessment Training
The USGS Mineral Resources Program conducts mineral resource assessments and is training USGS scientists in how to conduct these assessments for future work. As a practical exercise, the scientists will conduct an assessment for tungsten in the U.S.
Critical commodity studies, Stillwater Complex, Montana and Duluth Complex, Minnesota
Scientific research can make our resource assessments of critical minerals more effective. This project focuses on the Stillwater Complex, Montana, which has rocks enriched in platinum-group elements (PGE), chromium, cobalt, and nickel. Project objectives are to update databases, evaluate new mapping techniques, document new styles of mineralization, and document and support research on the...