Hardrock mining reform bill introduced in Senate

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), along with four Democratic cosponsors, introduced the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2017.

House discusses 3 bills on energy and mineral development

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources discussed three bills introduced before the August recess. Two of these bills seek to amend to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, while the third bill proposes a new method for state onshore oil and gas leasing on federal lands.

What is biomining?

Biomining is mineral processing with microbes.

Biomining is the process of using microorganisms (microbes) to extract metals of economic interest from rock ores or mine waste. Biomining techniques may also be used to clean up sites that have been polluted with metals.

House holds oversight hearing on hardrock mining

On July 20, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing to discuss the future of hardrock mining in the United States. Streamlining the permitting process, royalties reform, and reclamation concerns were among the topics discussed at the hearing.

Interactive map of coal resources in Alberta

Alberta Energy (a ministry of the Government of Alberta) provides an interactive map with basic information on coal resources in Alberta. The map includes:

Building the Modern World: Geoscience that Underlies our Economic Prosperity

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Geoscience information is integral to the strength and growth of communities and provides the resources for economic growth. All building materials, energy resources, construction projects, and hazard mitigation efforts are fundamentally based on geoscientific data and the geoscience workforce.

Our speakers are:

Emily W. Coyner, PG, Director of Environmental Policy, National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association | Slides Video
Brian K. Banks, PG, Principal, Schnabel Engineering | Slides Video
Austin Becker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Coastal Planning, Policy, and Design, University of Rhode Island | Slides Video

Key topics to be addressed include:

The industrial materials and minerals used to construct buildings/infrastructure
The importance of readily available construction materials and the resulting demand for mines and quarries throughout the U.S.
How geoscience is used to determine whether or not sites are suitable for infrastructure development
How geoscience is used to help guide design and construction to enhance the quality of life, economic strength, and physical security of coastal areas

Webinar Co-sponsors:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists; American Geophysical Union; Consortium for Ocean Leadership; Geological Society of America; National Ground Water Association; National Science Foundation; Soil Science Society of America

Resources to Learn More

View this webinar's Question & Answer session
U.S. Geological Survey: Aggregates Publications & Data Products
U.S. Geological Survey: Aggregate Resource Availability in the Conterminous United States
Federal Highway Administration: Wherefore Art Thou Aggregate Resources for Highways?
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering
National Research Council: Underground Engineering for Sustainable Urban Development
Environmental Protection Agency: Green Infrastructure: Coastal Resiliency
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: Coastal Resilience Tools
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: Coastal Infrastructure (Hawai'i and Pacific Islands)

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about geoscience and the economy.

Building the Modern World: Infrastructure is made of ROCKS

BuildingModernWorld_Webinar_Flyer.pdf

AGI_BuildingModernWorld_Aug2017_Coyner.pdf

AGI_BuildingModernWorld_Aug2017_Banks.pdf

AGI_BuildingModernWorld_Aug2017_Becker.pdf

Interactive map of industrial mineral mines in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of industrial mineral mines (stone, aggregates, and clay) in the state. By clicking on individual sites or areas, users can find a variety of information, including:

How do pyrite and pyrrhotite damage building foundations?

Pyrite and pyrrhotite are minerals known as iron sulfides. When iron sulfides are exposed to water and oxygen, a series of chemical reactions breaks down the iron sulfides and forms new minerals called sulfates. These sulfates take up more space than the original iron sulfides. As they grow, the new sulfate minerals push against the surrounding rock, causing it to swell and crack. This causes damage in two main ways:

International Raw Minerals Observatory to Launch November 2017 #DiscoverINTRAW

Save the Date! The International Raw Minerals Observatory is set to launch in November 2017. This is a new non-profit observatory based on the work of the INTRAW project that will facilitate exchange of best practices in raw materials on a global stage. During 7 weeks, the INTRAW explored five mining industries to explore best practices to build strong mining industry.

Interactive map of abandoned mines in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive map of abandoned mines in the state. By clicking on individual sites or areas, users can find a variety of information, including:

American Geosciences Institute

mineral resources