Earth Mapping Resources Initiative

Earth MRI directly benefits the Nation by expanding upon the understanding of domestic critical mineral resources through advanced mapping of above and below ground subsurface geologic resources through geologic, geochemical, and mine waste mapping, airborne geophysical surveys, and topographic (lidar) data acquisition. Additionally, these efforts also directly benefit the understanding of domestic resources of other economically valuable mineral and energy resources, groundwater resources and water security, geologic hazards, and infrastructure dependencies on subsurface geology. Through the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program and USGS Mineral Resources Program, Federal and State geologic mappers will coordinate efforts to plan and carry out research and data collection activities in critical minerals focus areas nationwide - with the USGS facilitating critical planning and regional synthesis. This proposed Earth MRI activity represents the State contribution to this larger Federal-State partnership in nationwide geologic mapping focused on critical minerals, as well as some airborne geophysical data collection activities. This effort also includes above ground critical mineral mapping and data acquisition efforts that support the inventorying and characterization of critical mineral resources in mine waste sites across the Nation. The implementation model for Earth MRI is based on multi-agency partnership with the State Geological Surveys for geologic framework data collection, with the USGS acting in a lead program management role to facilitate planning and acquisition for the broader community.