## Breadcrumb

-  Science 
-  Science Explorer 
-  Minerals 

# Critical Minerals

## Critical Minerals in Renewable Energy

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## Mineral Supply Chain Risk Methodology

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## Minerals in Medical Devices

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## Critical Minerals in Landsat 9

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Do you like your cell phone? Curious where the lithium for electric vehicle batteries will come from? Our Nation’s technology, economy and national security rely on knowing where to find and get critical minerals. 

### Earth MRI

Earth MRI’s goal is to improve our knowledge of the U.S. geologic framework and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources.

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### List of Critical Minerals

The USGS develops and updates the Nation's list of mineral commodities critical to the U.S. economy, infrastructure, national security, and renewable energy development.

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### International Collaboration

The USGS is collaborating with Australia and Canada to combine expertise and conduct critical mineral resources research.

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                  -              Overview           
                  -              Publications           
                  -              Science           
                  -              News           

## What is a Critical Mineral?  

> 
Critical minerals are necessary for the manufacture of high technology devices, national defense applications, and green energy-related industries.  A critical mineral is one that is important for these specialized applications yet is at risk for supply disruption.  

## Finding Domestic Critical Mineral Deposits 

The USGS is working collaboratively with the States to understand where critical mineral deposits and mine waste potential resources are located within the U.S. The Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a multi-faceted initiative that supports the collection of large-scale geologic, geochemical and geophysical data. This effort is helping to identify resources that can be used to build important tools like wind turbines, solar panels, and generators that help us respond to and be prepared for our changing climate. 

Earth MRI

## Earth MRI

Earth MRI Acquisitions Viewer

## Earth MRI Acquisitions Viewer

Earth MRI Focus Areas

## Earth MRI Focus Areas

Other USGS Critical Mineral Research

## Other USGS Critical Mineral Research

## Uses of Critical Minerals 

Learn more about how critical minerals are used in technology. 

Medical Implants

## Medical Implants

Renewable Energy

## Renewable Energy

Mobile Device

## Mobile Device

Supply Chain

## Supply Chain

## Publications

February 22, 2023

####                 National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

September 15, 2016

####                 A world of minerals in your mobile device              

Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, National Minerals Information Center

View All

## Science

link

August 31, 2023

####                 Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)              

Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

link

August 31, 2023

####   Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)

Learn More

link

October 1, 2019

####                 Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)              

Mineral Resources Program

link

October 1, 2019

####   Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Learn More

View All

## News

USGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals

November 27, 2023

####   USGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and Florida

September 11, 2023

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and Florida

Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals Data

August 17, 2023

####   Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals Data

View All

February 22, 2023

####                 National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States              

Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

September 15, 2016

####                 A world of minerals in your mobile device              

Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, National Minerals Information Center

link

August 31, 2023

####                 Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)              

Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

link

August 31, 2023

####   Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)

Learn More

link

October 1, 2019

####                 Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)              

Mineral Resources Program

link

October 1, 2019

####   Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)

Learn More

USGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals

November 27, 2023

####   USGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals

**RESTON, Va.**— The U.S. Geological Survey is investing millions of dollars in strengthening domestic supply chains for mineral resources critical to...

Read Article

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and Florida

September 11, 2023

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and Florida

**RESTON, Va.** — The USGS will invest more than $5 million to map both critical minerals and mineral resources important to hurricane resiliency in...

Read Article

Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals Data

August 17, 2023

####   Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals Data

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a **compilation** of national-scale geological, geophysical and mineral resource datasets from Australia...

Read Article

DARPA Announces Winners of Artificial Intelligence  Competition to Aid Critical Minerals Assessments

December 16, 2022

####   DARPA Announces Winners of Artificial Intelligence  Competition to Aid Critical Minerals Assessments

RESTON, Va.****— Critical minerals are essential to the U.S. economy and national security; however, their supply is vulnerable to disruption. U.S...

Read Article

Scientists Discover Significant Critical Minerals Potential in Northern Maine

November 10, 2022

####   Scientists Discover Significant Critical Minerals Potential in Northern Maine

RESTON, Va.— A team of state and federal scientists have discovered an area in northern Maine that is high in critical mineral resources, highlighting...

Read Article

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports critical minerals research in Washington State

October 19, 2022

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports critical minerals research in Washington State

**RESTON, Va.**— The U.S. Geological Survey announced today that, thanks to substantial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it...

Read Article

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources

August 23, 2022

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources

RESTON, Va.—The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that Alaska will receive more than $6.75 million to conduct geologic mapping, airborne...

Read Article

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps fund largest ever US critical minerals study of its kind in Arkansas, Missouri

July 19, 2022

####   Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps fund largest ever US critical minerals study of its kind in Arkansas, Missouri

A state-federal partnership is investing $2.75 million to research critical mineral potential across central Arkansas and southern Missouri.

Read Article

Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $74 Million in Federal-State Partnership for Critical Minerals Mapping

June 21, 2022

####   Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $74 Million in Federal-State Partnership for Critical Minerals Mapping

The USGS Earth MRI program announces its FY2022 investments in critical minerals mapping work.

Read Article

U.S. Geological Survey Releases 2022 List of Critical Minerals

February 22, 2022

####   U.S. Geological Survey Releases 2022 List of Critical Minerals

**RESTON** – The United States Geological Survey has released a new list of 50 mineral commodities critical to the U.S. economy and national security...

Read Article

Tracking Critical Minerals to Ensure National Preparedness

April 3, 2017

####   Tracking Critical Minerals to Ensure National Preparedness

On an ordinary Tuesday in 2014, David Pineault, an economist at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), reviewed his specialized reports and came to a...

Read Article

                  - Overview  What is a Critical Mineral?  
Critical minerals are necessary for the manufacture of high technology devices, national defense applications, and green energy-related industries.  A critical mineral is one that is important for these specialized applications yet is at risk for supply disruption.  
Finding Domestic Critical Mineral Deposits 
The USGS is working collaboratively with the States to understand where critical mineral deposits and mine waste potential resources are located within the U.S. The Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) is a multi-faceted initiative that supports the collection of large-scale geologic, geochemical and geophysical data. This effort is helping to identify resources that can be used to build important tools like wind turbines, solar panels, and generators that help us respond to and be prepared for our changing climate. 
Earth MRIEarth MRIEarth MRI Acquisitions ViewerEarth MRI Acquisitions ViewerEarth MRI Focus AreasEarth MRI Focus AreasOther USGS Critical Mineral ResearchOther USGS Critical Mineral ResearchUses of Critical Minerals 
Learn more about how critical minerals are used in technology. 
Medical ImplantsMedical ImplantsRenewable EnergyRenewable EnergyMobile DeviceMobile DeviceSupply ChainSupply ChainPublicationsFebruary 22, 2023                National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States              Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) launched the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to modernize the surface and subsurface geologic mapping of the United States, with a focus on identifying areas that may have the potential to contain critical mineral resources. EarthMRI can inform strategies to ensure secure and reliable domestic critical mineral supplies for the United StAuthorsJane M. Hammarstrom, Douglas C. Kreiner, Connie L. Dicken, Laurel G. WoodruffByMineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)September 15, 2016                A world of minerals in your mobile device              Mobile phones and other high-technology communications devices could not exist without mineral commodities. More than one-half of all components in a mobile device—including its electronics, display, battery, speakers, and more—are made from mined and semiprocessed materials (mineral commodities). Some mineral commodities can be recovered as byproducts during the production and processing of otherAuthorsJane E. Jenness, Joyce A. Ober, Aleeza Wilkins, Joseph GambogiByMineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, National Minerals Information CenterView AllSciencelinkAugust 31, 2023                Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)                The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.ByMineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science CenterlinkAugust 31, 2023  Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)  The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.Learn More**linkOctober 1, 2019                Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)                The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.ByMineral Resources ProgramlinkOctober 1, 2019  Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)  The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.Learn More**View AllNewsUSGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical mineralsNovember 27, 2023  USGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical mineralsBipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and FloridaSeptember 11, 2023  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and FloridaAustralia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals DataAugust 17, 2023  Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals DataView All 
                  - Publications  LabelFebruary 22, 2023                National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States              Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) launched the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to modernize the surface and subsurface geologic mapping of the United States, with a focus on identifying areas that may have the potential to contain critical mineral resources. EarthMRI can inform strategies to ensure secure and reliable domestic critical mineral supplies for the United StAuthorsJane M. Hammarstrom, Douglas C. Kreiner, Connie L. Dicken, Laurel G. WoodruffByMineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)September 15, 2016                A world of minerals in your mobile device              Mobile phones and other high-technology communications devices could not exist without mineral commodities. More than one-half of all components in a mobile device—including its electronics, display, battery, speakers, and more—are made from mined and semiprocessed materials (mineral commodities). Some mineral commodities can be recovered as byproducts during the production and processing of otherAuthorsJane E. Jenness, Joyce A. Ober, Aleeza Wilkins, Joseph GambogiByMineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, National Minerals Information Center 
                  - Science  LabellinkAugust 31, 2023                Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)                The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.ByMineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science CenterlinkAugust 31, 2023  Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI)  The USGS, in combination with Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Canada, formed the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI) in 2019 to combine expertise and collaboratively conduct research on critical mineral resources.Learn More**linkOctober 1, 2019                Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)                The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.ByMineral Resources ProgramlinkOctober 1, 2019  Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI)  The goal of Earth MRI is to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the United States and to identify areas that may have the potential to contain undiscovered critical mineral resources. Enhancement of our domestic mineral supply will decrease the Nation’s reliance on foreign sources of minerals that are fundamental to our security and economy.Learn More** 
                  - News  LabelUSGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical mineralsNovember 27, 2023  USGS multimillion-dollar science investments strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals
**RESTON, Va.**— The U.S. Geological Survey is investing millions of dollars in strengthening domestic supply chains for mineral resources critical to...
Read Article**Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and FloridaSeptember 11, 2023  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Support Critical Minerals, Hurricane Resiliency Through New Federal-State Mapping Efforts in Alabama and Florida
**RESTON, Va.** — The USGS will invest more than $5 million to map both critical minerals and mineral resources important to hurricane resiliency in...
Read Article**Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals DataAugust 17, 2023  Australia, Canada and US Unify Critical Minerals Data
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a **compilation** of national-scale geological, geophysical and mineral resource datasets from Australia...
Read Article**DARPA Announces Winners of Artificial Intelligence  Competition to Aid Critical Minerals AssessmentsDecember 16, 2022  DARPA Announces Winners of Artificial Intelligence  Competition to Aid Critical Minerals Assessments
RESTON, Va.****— Critical minerals are essential to the U.S. economy and national security; however, their supply is vulnerable to disruption. U.S...
Read Article**Scientists Discover Significant Critical Minerals Potential in Northern MaineNovember 10, 2022  Scientists Discover Significant Critical Minerals Potential in Northern Maine
RESTON, Va.— A team of state and federal scientists have discovered an area in northern Maine that is high in critical mineral resources, highlighting...
Read Article**Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports critical minerals research in Washington StateOctober 19, 2022  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports critical minerals research in Washington State
**RESTON, Va.**— The U.S. Geological Survey announced today that, thanks to substantial funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it...
Read Article**Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resourcesAugust 23, 2022  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helping Alaska map critical mineral resources
RESTON, Va.—The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that Alaska will receive more than $6.75 million to conduct geologic mapping, airborne...
Read Article**Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps fund largest ever US critical minerals study of its kind in Arkansas, MissouriJuly 19, 2022  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps fund largest ever US critical minerals study of its kind in Arkansas, Missouri
A state-federal partnership is investing $2.75 million to research critical mineral potential across central Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Read Article**Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $74 Million in Federal-State Partnership for Critical Minerals MappingJune 21, 2022  Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $74 Million in Federal-State Partnership for Critical Minerals Mapping
The USGS Earth MRI program announces its FY2022 investments in critical minerals mapping work.
Read Article**U.S. Geological Survey Releases 2022 List of Critical MineralsFebruary 22, 2022  U.S. Geological Survey Releases 2022 List of Critical Minerals
**RESTON** – The United States Geological Survey has released a new list of 50 mineral commodities critical to the U.S. economy and national security...
Read Article**Tracking Critical Minerals to Ensure National PreparednessApril 3, 2017  Tracking Critical Minerals to Ensure National Preparedness
On an ordinary Tuesday in 2014, David Pineault, an economist at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), reviewed his specialized reports and came to a...
Read Article**