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Focus Areas for Data Acquisition for Potential Domestic Resources of 11 Critical Minerals in Alaska—Aluminum, Cobalt, Graphite, Lithium, Niobium, Platinum Group Elements, Rare Earth Elements, Tantalum, Tin, Titanium, and Tungsten

Open-File Report 2019-1023-C
Prepared in cooperation with the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191023C

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  • Document: Report (14.2 MB pdf)
  • Chapters:
    • Open-File Report 2019-1023-A - Focus Areas for Data Acquisition for Potential Domestic Sources of Critical Minerals—Rare Earth Elements
    • Open-File Report 2019-1023-B - Focus Areas for Data Acquisition for Potential Domestic Resources of 11 Critical Minerals in the Conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico—Aluminum, Cobalt, Graphite, Lithium, Niobium, Platinum-Group Elements, Rare Earth Elements, Tantalum, Tin, Titanium, and Tungsten
    • Open-File Report 2019-1023-D - Focus Areas for Data Acquisition for Potential Domestic Resources of 13 Critical Minerals in the Conterminous United States and Puerto Rico—Antimony, Barite, Beryllium, Chromium, Fluorspar, Hafnium, Helium, Magnesium, Manganese, Potash, Uranium, Vanadium, and Zirconium
    • Open-File Report 2019-1023-E - Alaska Focus Area Definition for Data Acquisition for Potential Domestic Sources of Critical Minerals in Alaska for Antimony, Barite, Beryllium, Chromium, Fluorspar, Hafnium, Magnesium, Manganese, Uranium, Vanadium, and Zirconium
  • Version History: Version History (3.51 KB txt)
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

Phase 2 of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) focuses on geologic belts that are favorable for hosting mineral systems that may contain select critical minerals. Phase 1 of the Earth MRI program focused on rare earth elements (REE), and phase 2 adds aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum-group metals, tantalum, tin, titanium, and tungsten. This report describes the methodology and techniques utilized to define focus areas for future data acquisition in Alaska; the conterminous United States are covered in a separate report.

Definition of focus areas relies on a mineral systems framework that considers geologic features that may influence or control the formation and preservation of a mineral deposit and links the critical commodities to genetically related processes. Mineral systems are therefore larger than any given deposit. Evaluation of these larger systems allows for a broader understanding of how and where critical minerals may move through geologic systems.

Delineation of focus areas in Alaska was informed by statewide geological, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral occurrence datasets that are publicly available. Additionally, previously published prospectivity analyses for six different critical mineral-bearing deposit types help identify focus areas. A total of 74 focus areas prospective for the phase 2 critical minerals that occur in 12 different mineral systems were defined in Alaska. Identified focus areas may be used to guide future geologic, geochemical, and geophysical data in the State of Alaska.

Suggested Citation

Kreiner, D.C., and Jones, J.V., 2020, Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 11 critical minerals in Alaska—Aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum group elements, rare earth elements, tantalum, tin, titanium, and tungsten (ver. 1.1, July 2022), chap. C of U.S. Geological Survey, Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic sources of critical minerals: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1023, 20 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191023C.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Mineral Systems Approach
  • Data Sources
  • Delineation of Focus Areas
  • Mineral Systems
  • Discussion
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic resources of 11 critical minerals in Alaska—Aluminum, cobalt, graphite, lithium, niobium, platinum group elements, rare earth elements, tantalum, tin, titanium, and tungsten, chap. C of U.S. Geological Survey, Focus areas for data acquisition for potential domestic sources of critical minerals
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2019-1023
Chapter C
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191023C
Edition Version 1.0: September 2020: Version 1.1: July 2022
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center Geology Minerals
Description viii, 20 p.
Country United States
State Alaska
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details