Highlights

• USGS research reveals abandoned manganese mines in Appalachian Mountains contain unexpectedly high concentrations of rare earth elements and critical battery metals.
• Geochemical studies show potential for domestic critical mineral recovery, with sites containing high levels of cobalt, cerium, yttrium, and other strategic minerals.
• Findings suggest these neglected mine sites could contribute to U.S. supply chain independence and clean energy technology development.

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Two new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data releases, led by Dr. William E. Odom and colleagues Dr. Daniel H. Doctor, Dr. Mark W. Carter, Dr. Ryan McAleer, and Joshua R. Benton, present landmark geochemical assessments of manganese oxide ore deposits across the Appalachian Mountains and Virginia Piedmont. Published in 2025 as part of the Appalachian Manganese Oxide Research Effort (AMORE), these studies—titled “Rare Earth Element (REE), Critical Mineral, and Geochemical Characterization of Manganese Oxide Ore Deposits in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia” (DOI: 10.5066/P13WA9AS (opens in a new tab)) and _“Rare Earth Element (REE), Critical Mineral, and Geochemical Characterization of Manganese Oxide Ore Deposits in the Virginia Piedmont and Valley & Ridge”_—highlight a stunning rediscovery: abandoned manganese mines of the eastern United States are unexpectedly rich in rare earth elements and critical battery metals.

Geology of Appalachians

Findings.

By applying AI-driven mapping to locate legacy mine sites and high-resolution lidar terrain models, the team analyzed supergene manganese oxides from 32 sites across Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The results revealed total REE concentrations ranging from 35 ppm to over 4,000 ppm, with cerium, yttrium, lanthanum, and neodymium most abundant. Strikingly, cobalt, essential for EV batteries and aerospace alloys, reached median levels exceeding 4,000 ppm in breccias and nodules—an order of magnitude higher than in many active global deposits. Other enriched elements include barium, zinc, nickel, and lithium, positioning these neglected sites as potential “secondary” critical mineral resources.

Across both studies, Odom and his team observed that manganese oxides act as natural sponges for rare earths and critical metals, with enrichment varying by rock morphology—breccias, nodules, and sandstones yielding the highest metal concentrations. Their data show that these Appalachian formations could meaningfully contribute to U.S. supply diversification, especially as global trade tensions sharpen around China’s control of ~90% of REE processing.

Implications.

The combined findings suggest that America’s historic manganese belt may represent an underexplored domestic frontier for rare earths and cobalt—crucial to EVs, defense systems, and clean-energy technologies. As the U.S. seeks mine-to-magnet independence, these results could guide low-impact re-mining or waste-rock recovery strategies, pairing environmental remediation with resource recovery. For policymakers, this research provides a data-rich foundation for critical mineral mapping, permitting prioritization and potential public-private pilot projects under federal supply chain initiatives.

Limitations.

Both studies emphasize that these are geochemical characterizations, not economic feasibility assessments. Sampling density remains limited, and ore continuity, extraction costs, and environmental constraints must be rigorously evaluated. Additionally, the “SiO₂ correction” methodology assumes minimal REE content in quartz—a valid but simplifying assumption that could modestly bias concentration estimates. Future work will test correlations between manganese oxide mineralogy and trace-element enrichment to better predict recovery potential.

Conclusion.

Together, these companion studies revive America’s forgotten manganese fields as a strategic opportunity for rare earth and critical mineral recovery. They underscore a vital message for U.S. industrial policy: what was once “waste rock” in the Appalachian foothills may soon become a cornerstone of the energy transition and defense resilience.

Citations:

Odom, W.E., Doctor, D.H., McAleer, R., Carter, M.W., Benton, J.R., et al. (2025). Rare Earth Element (REE), Critical Mineral, and Geochemical Characterization of Manganese Oxide Ore Deposits in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. U.S. Geological Survey Data Release. DOI: 10.5066/P13WA9AS (opens in a new tab).

Odom, W.E., Doctor, D.H., Carter, M.W., McAleer, R., Benton, J.R. (2025). Rare Earth Element (REE), Critical Mineral, and Geochemical Characterization of Manganese Oxide Ore Deposits in the Virginia Piedmont and Valley & Ridge. U.S. Geological Survey Data Release. DOI: 10.5066/P13FKBUT.

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