Rare Earth Exchanges

Mapping Minerals from the Sky: NASA and USGS Partner to Boost U.S. Critical Mineral Supply

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Highlights

  • NASA’s Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx) is surveying over 190,000 square miles to identify critical minerals using high-altitude aircraft and spectrometers.
  • The project aims to reduce U.S. dependence on imported minerals essential for electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and technology.
  • Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the initiative has already produced the first hyperspectral mineral map of California with potential environmental and economic implications.

NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are employing advanced aerial imaging technology to map critical mineral resources across the American West, aiming to bolster the U.S. supply of materials vital for clean energy, technology, and national security. The Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (opens in a new tab) (GEMx) is surveying over 190,000 square miles in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon, using high-altitude aircraft equipped with cutting-edge spectrometers to identify lithium, rare earth elements, and other critical minerals hidden in the terrain.

The piece was authored by Sally Younger at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at California Institute of Technology. (opens in a new tab)

These minerals are essential for manufacturing items like electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and smartphones. Currently, the U.S. imports most of these materials, with some critical minerals entirely sourced from abroad, creating a vulnerability in supply chains. GEMx’s imaging instruments, including AVIRIS and MASTER, reveal mineral compositions with unprecedented detail, aiding geologists in locating resources not just in active mining areas but also in abandoned sites like California’s Hector Mine, where waste materials might hold valuable reserves.

The project, funded under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has already gathered enough data to produce the first hyperspectral mineral map of California. Beyond identifying mineral deposits, the technology can also address environmental issues, such as contamination from abandoned mines and hazards like earthquakes and wildfires.

Some Rare Earth Exchanges Questions

The article celebrates the technological capabilities of GEMx but leaves unanswered questions about the practical implications of these findings. For example, how will discoveries translate into actionable mining projects, given permitting hurdles, environmental regulations, and community opposition? It also doesn’t address how the U.S. plans to bridge gaps in refining capacity for these minerals, where China currently dominates.

Also, the piece assumes that increased domestic exploration will directly lead to reduced reliance on imports, but it doesn’t consider challenges like processing infrastructure or the environmental impacts of mining. While emphasizing U.S. economic and security benefits, the article doesn’t fully engage with the concerns of local communities or environmental advocates.

Conclusion

GEMx offers an exciting glimpse into how cutting-edge technology can reshape the search for critical minerals in the U.S. However, the transition from discovery to sustainable resource development will require navigating complex economic, environmental, and political challenges. As the project progresses, the real test will be how effectively the data can be used to secure U.S. supply chains without compromising ecological and social considerations.

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