U.S. Geological Survey Updates Critical Minerals Identified Resources Map: More Minerals Classified as Critical and Known Deposits Added

      In support of its Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), the USGS has issued a revised map of identified critical mineral resources. Earth MRI is in the process of remapping the entire U.S. with “cutting-edge airborne surveys” and has already completed over a third of the remapping. The update reflects an expanded list of recognized critical minerals. These include the addition of nine minerals newly classified as critical: boron, copper, lead, phosphate, potash, rhenium, silicon, silver, and uranium. The critical mineral list was updated previously from 50 to 60, including metallurgical coal, which is not included in this assessment. Thus, it assesses 59 minerals in total.

“The United States is abundant in many of the critical minerals needed to drive advanced manufacturing and protect our defense industrial base. For too long, America has relied on foreign sources for minerals for which we have the resources and expertise to develop here at home. This data shows that we have an extraordinary domestic mineral endowment. Nine of the ten critical minerals at greatest risk for supply chain disruption, including four rare-earth elements, are present in the U.S. Showing where critical minerals are in the United States helps the USGS map more new sources of critical minerals. Publishing that information in a map and a new interactive version puts important knowledge directly in the hands of industry, investors and the public,” Assistant Secretary of the Interior Andrea Travnicek said.

“This updated database is part of the roadmap to regaining mineral independence with resources we have here at home, secure our supply chains for tech and defense, and grow the nation’s economy. Earth MRI, thanks to our strong partnership with state geological surveys, is drawing more of the map every day,” said USGS Director Ned Mamula.

     The new interactive map documents 1,271 deposits across 41 states and Puerto Rico, an increase from 684 in its previous count. Below is a zoom-in of the interactive map in the Lake Superior region.

 

References:

 

USGS Updates U.S. Critical Mineral Deposits: 1,271 deposits across 41 states and Puerto Rico; one-third have no past production. USGS. Press Release. September 29, 2026. USGS Updates U.S. Critical Mineral Deposits | U.S. Geological Survey

America’s critical mineral map nearly doubles—here’s what changed. Alia Shoaib. Newsweek. October 5, 2026. America’s critical mineral map nearly doubles—here’s what changed