A scanning electron microscope image of the newly discovered mineral finchite. The Denver Microbeam Lab provided this scan of finchite in order to help describe and identify the mineral as a new one. Finchite is a uranium mineral first observed in Martin County, Texas.
Susan M Hall
Susan Hall is the uranium resource specialist at the US Geological Survey. She leads a project that estimates uranium remaining unmined in the US to help determine if potential supply is adequate to fuel US nuclear reactors.
Dr. Hall is an economic geologist at the USGS Central Energy Resources Science Center based in Denver, Colorado. She is the uranium resource specialist for the USGS, leading the uranium resource evaluation project for the US and working on uranium environmental issues. Since she began her USGS career in 2008, she has revitalized the USGS uranium resources program; planning, securing funding, evaluating the efficacy of modeling methodologies, and initiating the first comprehensive, domestic uranium resource assessment since 1980.
She creatively applies cutting edge analytic techniques to develop genetic models for complex mineral systems. Her publications are described as “benchmark references” which success she attributes to the practical experience gained during a 20-year career in the mining industry before joining USGS coupled with the ability to seek out specialized expertise and develop successful research teams comprised of scientists in academia, industry, state, and other federal agencies. She is a recognized international expert in uranium mineral systems. Her analysis of the underlying controls of these systems has taken her around the world to study deposits throughout North and South America, Europe, and Africa.
Her investigations into the groundwater impacts of in-situ uranium mining, developed in collaboration with industry and state regulators, were used as scientific basis for regulations developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. She contributes her technical expertise to tribal nations, state, and federal agencies to help evaluate remediation strategies for legacy uranium mines.
Dr. Hall has been invited to speak to U.S. Congress, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, environmental law conferences, and industry forums and has been a keynote speaker, panelist, chairman, and president of numerous IAEA conferences. Her expertise also extends to issues of international uranium supply and demand. In this role from she chaired the joint IAEA/Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD) Uranium Group from 2012-23 as the first American in 30 years, and the only woman ever to hold this position.
Science and Products
Uranium Mineral Systems
To assure adequate uranium to supply electricity from nuclear power, the US Geological Survey is working to better understand the genetic controls, distribution, and quantities of domestic uranium. Because of the heavy reliance on imported uranium, scientists also lead international groups of uranium resource experts to monitor world uranium supply. This research benefits the mining industry...
Scanning Electron Microscope Image of Finchite
A scanning electron microscope image of the newly discovered mineral finchite. The Denver Microbeam Lab provided this scan of finchite in order to help describe and identify the mineral as a new one. Finchite is a uranium mineral first observed in Martin County, Texas.
Finchite Mineral
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
Finchite Mineral
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
USGS Scientist Examining Texas Rock Layers for Finchite Minerals
USGS scientist Bradley Van Gosen examines rock layers for the newly discovered mineral finchite near Lamesa, Texas.
USGS scientist Bradley Van Gosen examines rock layers for the newly discovered mineral finchite near Lamesa, Texas.
USGS Scientists Seeking Finchite by the Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas
Between Lamesa and Big Spring, Texas, runs the Sulfur Spring Draw, a dry creek. It's the site of an economic calcrete-type uranium deposit, the Sulfur Springs Draw Deposit, where a new mineral was discovered in 2015.
Between Lamesa and Big Spring, Texas, runs the Sulfur Spring Draw, a dry creek. It's the site of an economic calcrete-type uranium deposit, the Sulfur Springs Draw Deposit, where a new mineral was discovered in 2015.
Calcrete near Sulfur Springs Draw
A calcrete outcropping near Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. This deposit dates to the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and hosts uranium-vanadate minerals.
A calcrete outcropping near Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. This deposit dates to the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and hosts uranium-vanadate minerals.
The Southern High Plains
The Southern High Plains of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. USGS conducted a uranium assessment in this region in 2015.
The Southern High Plains of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. USGS conducted a uranium assessment in this region in 2015.
Uranium-Vanadate Mineral in Calcrete
A uranium-vanadate mineral in calcrete. This sample came from near the Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. USGS conducted an assessment of uranium resources in this region in 2015.
A uranium-vanadate mineral in calcrete. This sample came from near the Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. USGS conducted an assessment of uranium resources in this region in 2015.
Science and Products
Uranium Mineral Systems
To assure adequate uranium to supply electricity from nuclear power, the US Geological Survey is working to better understand the genetic controls, distribution, and quantities of domestic uranium. Because of the heavy reliance on imported uranium, scientists also lead international groups of uranium resource experts to monitor world uranium supply. This research benefits the mining industry...
Scanning Electron Microscope Image of Finchite
A scanning electron microscope image of the newly discovered mineral finchite. The Denver Microbeam Lab provided this scan of finchite in order to help describe and identify the mineral as a new one. Finchite is a uranium mineral first observed in Martin County, Texas.
A scanning electron microscope image of the newly discovered mineral finchite. The Denver Microbeam Lab provided this scan of finchite in order to help describe and identify the mineral as a new one. Finchite is a uranium mineral first observed in Martin County, Texas.
Finchite Mineral
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
Finchite Mineral
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
A sample of finchite, a newly discovered uranium mineral. Finchite is the yellow material on the surface of the rock. Finchite is found in the late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the Illinoian glacial stage.
USGS Scientist Examining Texas Rock Layers for Finchite Minerals
USGS scientist Bradley Van Gosen examines rock layers for the newly discovered mineral finchite near Lamesa, Texas.
USGS scientist Bradley Van Gosen examines rock layers for the newly discovered mineral finchite near Lamesa, Texas.
USGS Scientists Seeking Finchite by the Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas
Between Lamesa and Big Spring, Texas, runs the Sulfur Spring Draw, a dry creek. It's the site of an economic calcrete-type uranium deposit, the Sulfur Springs Draw Deposit, where a new mineral was discovered in 2015.
Between Lamesa and Big Spring, Texas, runs the Sulfur Spring Draw, a dry creek. It's the site of an economic calcrete-type uranium deposit, the Sulfur Springs Draw Deposit, where a new mineral was discovered in 2015.
Calcrete near Sulfur Springs Draw
A calcrete outcropping near Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. This deposit dates to the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and hosts uranium-vanadate minerals.
A calcrete outcropping near Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. This deposit dates to the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and hosts uranium-vanadate minerals.
The Southern High Plains
The Southern High Plains of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. USGS conducted a uranium assessment in this region in 2015.
The Southern High Plains of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. USGS conducted a uranium assessment in this region in 2015.
Uranium-Vanadate Mineral in Calcrete
A uranium-vanadate mineral in calcrete. This sample came from near the Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. USGS conducted an assessment of uranium resources in this region in 2015.
A uranium-vanadate mineral in calcrete. This sample came from near the Sulfur Springs Draw in Texas. USGS conducted an assessment of uranium resources in this region in 2015.