Meeting Future U.S. Mineral Resource Needs: The Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
2025

Consensus

You must be logged in to download this publication.

Select Book Type

Paperback - $23.40

Request an exam or desk copy

Minerals form the foundation of our infrastructure, manufacturing, energy systems, and everyday technologies. Demand for these minerals, especially critical minerals, is rapidly increasing, highlighting the need for reliable sourcing and for resilient supply networks to ensure energy security and national competitiveness, and support technological innovation.

The Mineral Resources Program (MRP), within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), plays a central role in addressing the nation's mineral resource challenges by providing the unbiased science and data needed to inform decision making across government, private industry, and academia. At the request of the USGS, the National Academies reviewed MRP and considered how it might best position itself to address current and future mineral resource challenges facing the nation.

This report finds that MRP has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation during rapid budget fluctuations and renewed national attention on mineral resources, especially critical minerals, and has significantly advanced mineral deposit science, exploration, and analysis. The report recommends that MRP remain proactive in its priorities, set production targets for critical minerals, create a national atlas of resource potential, improve data delivery, establish external advisory input, regularly update its strategic plan, and strengthen collaboration across USGS and with external partners. These recommendations are intended to help MRP achieve its mission while supporting national objectives and remaining the national authority on minerals information, analysis, research, and assessment.

Publication information

144 pages · 7 x 10 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-73529-7
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-73530-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/29068

Suggested citation

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Meeting Future U.S. Mineral Resource Needs: The Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Import this citation to:

Bibtext
EndNote
Reference manager

First Name
Last Name
Email (required)
I agree to receive emails from the National Academies (required)

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

Search this publication

Front Matter i-xvi
Summary 1-6
1 Introduction 7-12
2 Challenges to Meeting U.S. Mineral Resource Needs 13-19
3 Context and Overview of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program 20-23
4 Science Programs 24-54
5 Program Administration 55-63
6 Data and Products 64-76
7 Partners and Stakeholders 77-98
8 The Path Forward 99-102
References 103-112
Appendix A: Committee and Staff Biographical Sketches 113-119
Appendix B: Questionnaires 120-123
Appendix C: Agendas for U.S. Geological Survey Facility Site Visits 124-128

Log In

Former MyNAP users: You'll need to reset your password on your first login to MyAcademies. Click "Forgot password" below to receive a reset link via email. Having trouble? Visit our FAQ page to contact support.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, or National Academy of Medicine should log in through their respective Academy portals.

Email (required)
Password (required)

Don't have an account?

Register

Email (required)
New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters
I accept the terms of use
terms of use

Thank You

Thank you for creating a MyAcademies account!

Enjoy free access to thousands of National Academies' publications, a 10% discount off every purchase, and build your personal library.

Forgot Password

Enter the email address for your MyAcademies (formerly MyNAP) account to receive password reset instructions.

Email (required)

Reset Requested

We sent password reset instructions to your email . Follow the link in that email to create a new password. Didn't receive it? Check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.

Reset Password

New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters

Reset Password

Your password has been reset.

Verify email

Verify Your Email Address

We sent a verification link to your email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) and follow the link to verify your email address. If you did not receive the email, you can request a new verification link below

Meeting Future U.S. Mineral Resource Needs: The Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program (2025)

Chapter: 3 Context and Overview of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program

Publication information

Suggested citation

My Academies

Meeting Future U.S. Mineral Resource Needs: The Role of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program (2025)

Chapter: 3 Context and Overview of the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program