WSGS and USGS collaborate on new airborne mineral survey in southeastern Wyoming
Data will improve understanding of geology and mineral potential in the Shirley Mountains and Hartville Uplift areas, part of a national effort
LARAMIE, WY -- The Wyoming State Geological Survey, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey will conduct a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey across portions of southeastern Wyoming beginning as soon as this week, part of a national effort to map the mineral resources needed for the U.S. economy and national security.
Editor: In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the USGS is announcing this low-level airborne project. Your assistance in informing the local communities is appreciated.
Focused on the Shirley Mountains and Hartville Uplift areas—regions known for mineralization but limited by existing geophysical data—the survey aims to improve understanding of subsurface geology and better target areas of critical mineral interest for future mapping and research.
“Baseline, high-quality geophysical data have become essential for modern geologic investigations,” said Erin Campbell, WSGS Director and Wyoming State Geologist. “These surveys help identify hidden structures and features that could point to valuable resources and guide ongoing research across Wyoming’s mineral-rich terrains.”
“WSGS is a key partner as USGS leads national efforts to map the critical minerals needed to drive the U.S. economy and national security, and expand our knowledge of the nation’s geologic framework. Wyoming produced $622 million in nonfuel mineral commodities in 2024, eighth-most in the nation. Expanding knowledge of the state’s subsurface geology could grow the state’s mining sector,” said Jamey Jones, science coordinator of the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative.
The survey will acquire both magnetic and radiometric data across two regions. The western block includes Pathfinder Reservoir, the Shirley and Freezout mountains, and the western part of Casper Mountain. The eastern block covers the Hartville Uplift, stretching from near Wheatland to north of Lusk.
Mineral commodities of interest for the survey include cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, platinum group elements, and graphite, all on the List of Critical Minerals maintained by the USGS as essential to the U.S. economy and national security, and vulnerable to supply chain disruption. Uranium and a wide range of other strategic materials are also present. The data may also help resolve open questions about regional tectonics and the evolution of major structural features through the Miocene.
“More than 30 percent of the state’s biennium budget is derived from mineral severance tax and federal mineral royalties, according to the January 2025 Consensus Revenue Estimating Group’s forecast for Wyoming revenue,” said Campbell. “Wyoming has taken a proactive approach to ensure future investment from the mineral industry. With the completion of this and other ongoing geophysical surveys, more than 20 percent of Wyoming, or 19,300 square miles, will be covered by the highest-quality magnetic and radiometric data, which will galvanize mineral exploration.”
Survey aircraft—both helicopters and fixed-wing planes—will collect data along closely spaced flight lines at a nominal elevation of about 300 feet (100 meters). The magnetic component of the survey detects variations in the Earth’s magnetic field that reveal subsurface structures up to a kilometer deep, or about 3,000 feet. Radiometric sensors measure natural radiation to help map the distribution of potassium, thorium, and uranium near the surface.
The survey will use aircraft equipped with an elongated “stinger” mounted to either the tail extending backward off the aircraft (fixed wing), or landing skid (helicopter) extending forward off the aircraft. The scientific instruments on the aircraft are completely passive, with no emissions that pose a risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The data collected will be made freely available to the public once complete. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. The company contracted to fly the survey works with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only.
This new dataset will bridge existing geophysical surveys in the Laramie Mountains, South Pass–Granite Mountains, Sierra Madre, and Medicine Bow Mountains. It will also provide insight into complex geologic features along the Cheyenne Belt—a key boundary between the Archean Wyoming Province and younger Proterozoic rocks—long recognized for its mineral potential.
“These regions host a variety of mineral systems, including mafic magmatic, polymetallic, and rare earth element deposits,” said Patty Webber, a geologist with the WSGS. “With the addition of high-resolution geophysics, we can begin to better understand the full scope of resource potential across this structurally complex corridor.”
Following data acquisition, the WSGS and its partners will analyze and interpret the results in combination with field mapping, subsurface modeling, and other techniques to better assess mineral potential and geologic history.
Earth MRI is a nationwide partnership between the USGS and state geological surveys aimed at mapping critical minerals, and modernizing geologic data with benefits for hazard reduction and water availability. The program has supported multiple airborne geophysical efforts in Wyoming in recent years.
To learn more about Earth MRI efforts in Wyoming and across the U.S., visit the Earth MRI Acquisitions Viewer
