mineral resources

Interactive map of mineral resources in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Mineral Resources Navigator provides an interactive map of mines, oil and gas wells, and other regulated wells in New York State.

The map is updated nightly, and can be used to find locations and permitting and operating dates for thousands of mines and wells across the state.

Click here to access the NYSDEC Mineral Resources Navigator.

How do we use rare earth elements?

From the U.S. Geological Survey factsheet, "The Rare Earth Elements - Vital to Modern Technologies and lifestyles":

"Rare-earth elements (REEs) are used as components in high technology devices, including smart phones, digital cameras, computer hard disks, fluorescent and light-emitting-diode (LED) lights, flat screen televisions, computer monitors, and electronic displays. Large quantities of some REEs are used in clean energy and defense technologies."

Underpinning Innovation: The Science and Supply of America's Critical Minerals and Materials

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Background: Critical minerals and materials are key components of the innovation economy. Minerals are a part of almost every product we use on a daily basis, either as the raw materials for manufacturing processes or as the end products themselves. Advanced technologies for communications, clean energy, medical devices, and national security rely on raw materials from mines throughout the world. In 2010, China curtailed exports of rare earth metals and sparked major concern about the security of global supply chains for a range of vital minerals and materials.

Speakers highlight:

  • Research on locating and processing the minerals and materials that fuel cutting-edge technology and manufacturing across the United States
  • The role of information on the global supply of, demand for, and flow of minerals and materials in identifying critical minerals and supporting economic and strategic decision making.

Our speakers are:

Webinar Co-Sponsors:

American Chemical Society, American Exploration & Mining Association, American Physical Society, Critical Materials Institute, Geological Society of America, Industrial Minerals Association -North America, Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Society of Economic Geologists, U.S. Geological Survey

Resources to learn more:

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about critical minerals.

Underpinning Innovation: Critical Minerals in the Context of Global Mineral Resources

Interactive map of coal mines in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources's (DNR) interactive map of coal mines in Iowa shows the locations of coal mines and mine entrances throughout Iowa, and also has the option to search the map by street address. Users may click on the map to access information about mine use dates, type, mining method, entrance type, and links to original mine maps.

Click here to use the Iowa DNR's interactive map of coal mines in Iowa

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Interactive map of the United States' geology and natural resources

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Mineral Resources Program's interactive Geologic Map of U.S. States provides a large amount of information on geology, natural resources, and environmental data for every U.S. state, including:

  • Surface and bedrock geology
  • Mineral resources
  • Geochemical and geophysical data
  • Water monitoring sites
  • Partial soil and land use data

All of the maps are also available as Google Earth files that can be downloaded and used on personal computers and mobile devices.

What are the different types of coal?

The coal formation process involves the burial of peat, which is made of partly decayed plant materials, deep underground. The heat and pressure of burial alters the texture and increases the carbon content of the peat, which transforms it into coal, a type of sedimentary rock. This process takes millions of years.

Types, or “ranks,” of coal are determined by carbon content. There are four types of coal, ordered from highest to lowest rank below.

Geologic Map Database for Aggregate Resource Assessment in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area

The Arizona Geological Survey's Geologic Map Database for Aggregate Resource Assessment in the Phoenix, Arizona Metropolitan Area and Surrounding Regions provides valuable information for resource development and land use planning. The database is an integrated product with shapefiles and other digital data. The primary purpose of this database is to depict geologic units that have been and are being exploited for aggregate resources in a uniform and fairly simple manner. 

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