The data collection will be conducted through the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), a partnership between the USGS and state geological surveys that is revolutionizing our understanding of the nation’s geology and domestic mineral resources, both in the ground and in mine waste. 

Since 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has advanced scientific innovation through a \$320 million investment for the USGS to better map the Nation’s mineral resources, and to preserve historical geologic data and samples. Through the end of fiscal year 2024, more than \$160 million has been obligated for Earth MRI initiatives, propelling efforts to make “once-in-a-generation” advancements in the nation’s geologic and geophysical data collections and mapping. 

This funding opportunity has initiated the above-ground portion of Earth MRI BIL-funded priorities by supporting state geological surveys in coordinated activities to map, characterize, and assess the potential for critical minerals in mine waste. 

The data will also contribute to the first-ever National Mine Waste Inventory, a tool that will support other state, federal, and tribal agencies responsible for land management planning and remediation decisions. 

“In order to answer the questions of where, what, and how much mine waste materials are present that contain critical and other valuable minerals, we need to know exactly how much mine waste we have,” said Darcy McPhee, USGS Earth MRI program manager and geophysicist. “This effort will allow us and our partners at the state geological surveys to take stock of these resources.” 

Using USGS-developed sampling protocols, the projects will focus on field sampling of mine waste to determine critical mineral composition and answer scientific questions such as: 

• How many mine waste sites are there in the United States, and where are they located?
• How much material is available that may contain critical mineral resources?
• What factors may influence recovery of the critical mineral commodities and what are the environmental risks associated with potential extraction and cleanup efforts?

The eight awarded Mine Waste characterization projects include:

State geological survey: California Geological Survey

Project: Characterization of mine waste for critical minerals in the eastern California tungsten focus area 

State geological survey:  Illinois State Geological Survey:

Project: Characterization of mine waste tailings piles of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District

State geological survey: Michigan Geological Survey

Project: Critical minerals waste pile sampling in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan

State geological survey: Missouri Geological Survey

Project: Mine waste characterization of Missouri Old Lead Belt Chat piles – Bonne Terre, National, and River Mines Sites

State geological survey: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Project:  Mine wastes in southwestern New Mexico

State geological survey: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

Project: Geochemical characterization of Nevada’s mine waste sites

State geological survey: Oklahoma Geological Survey

Project: Mine waste characterizations at Oklahoma’s Tar Creek superfund site

State geological survey: Utah Geological Survey

Project: Mine waste characterization in the greater Tintic mining area

The following nine states were awarded funds to support the National Mine Waste Inventory: Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. 

In addition to the above, the following states were awarded funds to participate in the Annual Earth MRI Workshop, hosted by the USGS in Reston, Virginia, where USGS and State geological surveys come together to plan for future data collection efforts: Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.