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)
Professional Experience
2018 – Present: Research Geologist, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Spokane WA.
Education and Certifications
PhD, Geology, Washington State University
MSc Geology, Washington State University
BSc, Geology, Northwest Missouri State University
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 15
Lithogeochemistry of selected surface and drill core samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana Lithogeochemistry of selected surface and drill core samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana
Sulfide- and chromite-bearing samples of the Basal and Ultramafic series of the Stillwater Complex are known to contain elevated concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, cobalt, gold, and platinum-group elements (PGE). Drill core and surface samples were collected from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas for whole rock geochemical analysis, with specific interest in PGE, cobalt, and...
TIMA-X Bright Phase Analysis of Platinum-Group Minerals in Selected Samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana TIMA-X Bright Phase Analysis of Platinum-Group Minerals in Selected Samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana
Sulfide- and chromite-bearing samples of the Basal and Ultramafic series of the Stillwater Complex are known to contain elevated concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGE). Thin sections were prepared from drill core and surface samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas. Core samples are from exploration drilling programs by AMAX in the 1960s and 1970s and Beartooth Platinum...
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS...
Non-USGS Publications**
Andersen, A.K., Clark, J.G., Larson, P.B., and Donovan, J.J., 2017. REE fractionation, mineral speciation,
and supergene enrichment of the Bear Lodge carbonatites, Wyoming, USA: Ore Geology Reviews.
v. 89, 780–807
and supergene enrichment of the Bear Lodge carbonatites, Wyoming, USA: Ore Geology Reviews.
v. 89, 780–807
Andersen, A.K., Clark, J.G., Larson, P.B., and Neill, O.K., 2016. Mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of a
HFSE(+HREE) occurrence, peripheral to carbonatites of the Bear Lodge alkaline complex, Wyoming: American Mineralogist, v. 101, 1604–1623.
HFSE(+HREE) occurrence, peripheral to carbonatites of the Bear Lodge alkaline complex, Wyoming: American Mineralogist, v. 101, 1604–1623.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 15
Lithogeochemistry of selected surface and drill core samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana Lithogeochemistry of selected surface and drill core samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana
Sulfide- and chromite-bearing samples of the Basal and Ultramafic series of the Stillwater Complex are known to contain elevated concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, cobalt, gold, and platinum-group elements (PGE). Drill core and surface samples were collected from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas for whole rock geochemical analysis, with specific interest in PGE, cobalt, and...
TIMA-X Bright Phase Analysis of Platinum-Group Minerals in Selected Samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana TIMA-X Bright Phase Analysis of Platinum-Group Minerals in Selected Samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas of the Stillwater Complex, Montana
Sulfide- and chromite-bearing samples of the Basal and Ultramafic series of the Stillwater Complex are known to contain elevated concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGE). Thin sections were prepared from drill core and surface samples from the Chrome and Iron Mountain areas. Core samples are from exploration drilling programs by AMAX in the 1960s and 1970s and Beartooth Platinum...
GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements GIS and Data Tables for Focus Areas for Potential Domestic Nonfuel Sources of Rare Earth Elements
In response to Executive Order 13817 of December 20, 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify 35 nonfuel minerals or mineral materials considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States (U.S.). Acquiring information on possible domestic sources of these critical minerals is the basis of the USGS...
Non-USGS Publications**
Andersen, A.K., Clark, J.G., Larson, P.B., and Donovan, J.J., 2017. REE fractionation, mineral speciation,
and supergene enrichment of the Bear Lodge carbonatites, Wyoming, USA: Ore Geology Reviews.
v. 89, 780–807
and supergene enrichment of the Bear Lodge carbonatites, Wyoming, USA: Ore Geology Reviews.
v. 89, 780–807
Andersen, A.K., Clark, J.G., Larson, P.B., and Neill, O.K., 2016. Mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of a
HFSE(+HREE) occurrence, peripheral to carbonatites of the Bear Lodge alkaline complex, Wyoming: American Mineralogist, v. 101, 1604–1623.
HFSE(+HREE) occurrence, peripheral to carbonatites of the Bear Lodge alkaline complex, Wyoming: American Mineralogist, v. 101, 1604–1623.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.