We lead the government in developing the List of Critical Minerals.
We provide detailed mapping and foundational data related to geology and mineral resources.
We assess energy and mineral resources, including in energy and mine wastes.
Minerals and American Energy: what's the connection and how is our science helping?
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Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area
We lead the Nation’s geologic mapping and provide impartial scientific information on geologic resources and their supply chains. Our work includes leading the development of the List of Critical Minerals, assessing domestic and foreign energy and mineral resources, and mapping areas with resource potential.
Our science informs key investments and crucial resource management decisions to support a strong, secure and sustained Nation.
Our Research Programs
Our Research Programs
Our Programs deliver actionable science about the Nation's geology and geologic resources.
Our Science
Our Science
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News
Earth MRI case studies highlight benefit and use of data
Earth MRI case studies highlight benefit and use of data
USGS, NASA Map Critical Minerals from 65,000 Feet
USGS, NASA Map Critical Minerals from 65,000 Feet
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Bossier Formation of Gulf Coast
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Bossier Formation of Gulf Coast
Publications
Critical minerals memory match game Critical minerals memory match game
An educational information packet about the 2025 List of Critical Minerals, which includes a memory match game about select critical minerals and how they are used.
Remote sensing enables basin-scale inventories of coal mine methane Remote sensing enables basin-scale inventories of coal mine methane
Underground coal mines are important global sources of methane, but emission estimates are uncertain. We show that emission estimates for individual mines from aircraft remote-sensing surveys in the United States agree within 40% with direct measurements used for national emission reporting (IPCC Tier 3 estimate). Such direct measurements are unavailable in most countries, which rely on...
Quantitative mineral resource assessment of lithium pegmatite deposits in the southern Appalachian orogen Quantitative mineral resource assessment of lithium pegmatite deposits in the southern Appalachian orogen
The first quantitative mineral resource assessment for undiscovered lithium pegmatite deposits in the southern Appalachian region of the United States was conducted. Permissive tracts for lithium pegmatite deposits were delineated by integrating lithological, tectonic, geochemical, geophysical and mineral occurrence data. Lithium pegmatite prospectivity of the tracts was ranked with...