USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Industrial Minerals”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
USGS2010

Mineral resource of the month: platinum group metals

The article focuses on platinum group metals (PGMs) and their properties. According to the author, PGMs, which include iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium, are among the rarest mineral commodities in the Earth's crust. PGMs are primarily used as catalytic converters that clean harmful exhaust from vehicle engines. They are also used in the chemical industry as catalysts in the production of nitric acid and in the petroleum refining industry.

Earth↗
USGS1959

Occurrences of alunite, pyrophyllite, and clays in the Cerro La Tiza area, Puerto Rico

A deposit of hydrothermally altered rocks in the Cerro La Tiza area located between the towns of Comerio and Aguas Buenas, approximately 25 kilometers southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, was mapped and studied to determine the principal minerals, their extent distribution and origin, and the possibility of their economic utilization, especially in Puerto Rico. The Cerro la Tiza area is about 7 1 / 2 kilometers long, has an average width of about 1 1 / 2 kilometers and embraces a total area of approximately 15 square kilometers. The principal mineralized zone, a dike-like mass of light-colored rocks surrounded by dark-colored volcanic country rocks, occupies the crest and upper slopes of east-trending Cerro La Tiza ridge and is believed to be of Late Cretaceous or Eocene age. This zone is approximately 5,300 meters long, 430 meters wide and has an area of approximately 225 hectares (556 acres). The rocks of the mineralized zone are of mixed character and consist mainly of massive quartzose rocks and banded quartz-alunite rocks closely associated with foliated pyrophyllitic, sericitic and clayey rocks. The principal minerals in probably order of abundance are quartz, alunite, pyrophyllite, kaolin group clays (kaolinite and halloysite) and sericite. Minerals of minor abundance are native sulfure, diaspore, svanbergite (?), sunyite (?), hematite, goethite, pyrite, rutile (?) and very small quantities of unidentified minerals. The mineralized zone has broken down to deposits of earth-rock debris of Quaternary age that cover much of the slopes and flanks of Cerro La Tiza. This debris consists generally of fragments and boulders with a very large size range embedded in a clayey matrix. The distribution of the earth-rock debris with respect to the present topography and drainage suggests that it may have undergone at least two cycles of erosion. Underlying the earth-rock debris and completely enclosing the mineralized zone are country rocks of probably Late Cretaceous age. These consist principally of low flows and volcanic and flow breccias but contain thin interbedded siltstones and sandstones. The lavas are generally predominant at the western end of the area and the breccias at the eastern end. The mineralized zone and the country rocks are sheared along two predominant directions that are approximately N 70 degrees E and N 70 degrees W. The ridge of Cerro La Tiza appears to be a broad shear zone through which hydrothermal emanations gained access to the country rocks. The emanations are believed to have originated from intrusive rocks that probably underlie the area. The surrounding area contains both large and small exposed intrusive bodies. The largest one is the San Lorenzo batholith of Late Cretaceous or Eocene age whose exposed northwest edge is approximately 19 kilometers southeast of the eastern end of the Cerro La Tiza area. Other zones of hydrothermally altered rocks were discovered along a mineralized belt extending eastward from Cerro La Tiza through the Rio Gurabo Valley nearly to the Vieques Passage bordering the east coast of Puerto Rico. Other zones were discovered north and south of this belt and still others were found circumventing the San Lorenzo batholith. The most abundant minerals of the mineralized zone can be exploited for economic utilization in Puerto Rico. Alunite can be utilized in the manufacture of aluminum sulfate for water purification. It can also be used in the manufacture of alumina refractory materials. Pyrophyllite can be used as a carrier for insecticides and fungicides. It can also be utilized for the manufacture of ceramic products, as a filler in the soap industry and as a carrier for paint pigments. Kaolinite can be used in the ceramic industry and in the manufacture of glass as a substitute for feldspar. Halloysite might be utilized as a catalyst support in the cracking of petroleum. Tonnages of reserve ore on Cerro La Tiza are calculated to be 1,590,000 inferred short tons (1,440,000,000 inferred metric tons) of mixed minerals. These tonnages are based on the assumption that the depth of the mineralized zone is one-half of the exposed width. The deposit is well situated for open pit mining, but because of the existing cover of earth-rock debris, soil foliage, exploration should proceed exploitation for better determination of the most promising areas containing the best concentrations of the minerals sought.

Cerro La Tiza↗
USGS1981

Hard mineral resources around the U.S continental margin

The territorial waters surrounding the United States contain vast quantities of hard mineral resources. Some, such as sand and gravel in the New York Bight, Beaufort Sea, portions of southern California, and submerged lands near Hawaii are relatively well known and characterized by local need and immediate mining potential with available technology. Commoditie of interest to industry and having nearterm economic potential that might require new or innovative technology, inlcude phosphorites such as those in the south eastern Atlantic margin, and manganese nodules on the Blake Plateau (which have potential for catalyst material, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and platinum). Commodities having significant potential, but which are poorly known and which may require innovative recovery technology, include chrome, gold, platinum, and tin placer deposits, with special emphasis on the continental margins of northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska; rock salt and evaporite minerals in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic; titanium and other heavy minerals in the Atlantic continental margin, and calcium carbonate. A. U.S. Department of the Interior moratorium on offshore leasing in federal waters has existed since 1968. Leasing and regulatory systems will be required to begin commercial mining or intensive exploration of the above resources

Conference Paper↗
USGS1996

An examination of organic/carbonate-bound metals in bottom sediments of Bayou Trepagnier, Louisiana

To assess potential impact of metals on the biosphere in bottom sediments, forms were determined for selected metals in a southeastern Louisiana bayou, Bayou (B.) Trepagnier, which has been impacted by industrial activity at its head by a manufacturing complex (MC). Ten pairs of cores along the length of the bayou allowed variation with distance to be studied. Sequential extractions provided data on five chemical partitioning phases for subsamples from each of the cores. Results show that, beyond the mineral residue phase (phase 6 of the extractions) the organic/carbonate phase (phase 4 of the extractions) generally contains the highest concentrations of metals. This paper focuses on phase 4. In addition, metals in phase 4 show significant downstream gradients, though concentrations towards the mouth do not generally appear to differ significantly from those at a control site outside of the bayou. Data were also examined for interrelationships, and high correlation coefficients were the impetus for moving to a multivariate statistical method, polytopic vector analysis (PVA). Six end-members (EMs) were produced. EMs 2, 5, and 6 have high relative proportions of anthropogenic metals and are observed in highest proportions upstream, near the MC. These EMs may reflect industrial input from the MC. EM 3 contains significant calcium, magnesium, and manganese, with minor amounts of lead and barium, and is related to input from nearby Lake Ponchartrain since it increases in weight downstream. EMs 1 and 4 are composed of components commonly found in detrital minerals (e.g., iron, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, and silicon) and are probably not the product of anthropogenic influence. For anthropogenically-weighted end-members (EMs 2, 5, and 6) there appears to be little difference between weights at the mouth of the bayou and weights at the control site outside the bayou.

Louisiana↗
USGS1953

Water supply of the Birmingham area, Alabama

Sufficient water is available in the streams of the area surrounding Birmingham to supply any foreseeable demand; however, to utilize these streams impounding reservoirs and rather long supply lines will be required. Moderate supplies of ground water are available from wells, springs, and mines. The average water use in the area, not including reclaimed and recirculated water, was about 157 mgd during 1951. About 55 mgd was used for domestic or commercial purposes, and 102 mgd was used for industrial purposes. The .quantity of water withdrawn would have to be much greater if a considerable amount of reclaimed and recirculated water had not been used. The Birmingham water-supply systems are used at almost full capacity, and plans are being considered by the city to expand its supply greatly. An estimated 4 mgd of ground water from wells and springs is used for municipal supplies, and 8 mgd is used for industrial purposes. Smaller amounts of ground water are used for irrigation and rural supply. Individual springs in the area are capable of yielding as much as 750 gpm and wells as much as 500 gpm. Some water from worked and abandoned coal and iron mines is used for .public and industrial supplies. One of the conclusions reached by the ground-water study is that ground water has not been fully developed in wells and springs of the area and that mine water which would have to be treated for most municipal and industrial purposes is a potential source of water. Generally, the surface water in the Birmingham. area is of better quality than ground water. Surface water is low in dissolved mineral matter and is extremely soft. Some of the streams carry excessive quantities of iron. Village and Valley Creeks carry some surface pollution making the water unsuitable for many uses. Ground water in this area is usually low in color and ranges in temperature from 62 ? to 72 ?F. Water from limestone, dolomite, and chert usually is moderately to extremely hard. Calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate are the predominant constituents. The quantity of iron in ground water from most of the aquifers is low, except from the Pottsville formation. The Floyd shale and the Parkwood formation yield sodium bicarbonate waters high in sulfate and low in calcium, magnesium, chloride, and nitrate. Ground water from the Pottsville formation is more variable in quality than water from other formations in the area. Water samples from the mine shafts yielding from this formation were .highly mineralized and extremely, hard.

Circular↗
USGS2009

Mineral resource of the month: gold

The article presents information on the valuable mineral called gold. It states that early civilizations valued gold because of its scarcity, durability and characteristics yellow color. By the late 20th century, gold was used as an industrial metal because of its unique physicochemical properties. The U.S. has several productive deposits of gold, including placer, gold-quartz lode, epithermal and Carlin-type gold deposits.

Earth↗
USGS2019

China’s domestic and foreign influence in the global cobalt supply chain

In addition to increasing interest in the supply risk of minerals produced in China, there is also concern that China’s efforts to mitigate mineral supply risk—through foreign direct investment—may limit mineral availability for other countries in the short-term (due to production capacity constraints). However, little is publicly known about the quantity of global mineral production that is subject to Chinese ownership-influence or how this influence may mitigate China’s import reliance for mineral commodities. In this analysis, we estimate China’s ownership-share of foreign production for cobalt mine and intermediate materials (in the year 2016), as well as the net import reliance of China’s cobalt refinery industry—which is then adjusted to reflect China’s ownership-share of foreign production. First, we find that China’s foreign cobalt ownership is predominantly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the largest source of cobalt mine and intermediate imports for China’s growing cobalt refinery industry. Second, foreign direct investment provided China with ownership-influence over roughly 29% of its cobalt mine and intermediate imports in 2016—which may have reduced the exposure of China’s refinery industry to supply risk from a net import reliance of 97% (on cobalt mine and intermediate materials) to an adjusted net import reliance of 68%. Third, China’s global production share jumps from 2% to 14% (for cobalt mine material) and from 11% to 33% (for cobalt intermediate material) when China’s foreign ownership production share is added to China’s domestic production share. Fourth, over time China’s foreign direct investment appears to have targeted facilities with progressively larger cobalt production capacities. Finally, China’s global production share increases as cobalt material moves downstream (i.e. mine, 14%; intermediate, 33%; refined, 50% in 2016). If a primary motivation of China’s Going Out Strategy is to secure natural resources, then China’s global production share may be reserved for Chinese manufacturers. This analysis may, therefore, indicate that critical mineral availability and supply risk (for countries other than China) may not be confined to minerals produced in China.

Resources Policy↗
USGS2007

Regional Fluid Flow and Basin Modeling in Northern Alaska

The foothills of the Brooks Range contain an enormous accumulation of zinc (Zn) in the form of zinc sulfide and barium (Ba) in the form of barite in Carboniferous shale, chert, and mudstone. Most of the resources and reserves of Zn occur in the Red Dog deposit and others in the Red Dog district; these resources and reserves surpass those of most deposits worldwide in terms of size and grade. In addition to zinc and lead sulfides (which contain silver, Ag) and barite, correlative strata host phosphate deposits. Furthermore, prolific hydrocarbon source rocks of Carboniferous and Triassic to Early Jurassic age generated considerable amounts of petroleum that may have contributed to the world-class petroleum resources of the North Slope. Deposits of Zn-Pb-Ag or barite as large as those in the Brooks Range are very rare on a global basis and, accordingly, multiple coincident favorable factors must be invoked to explain their origins. To improve our understanding of these factors and to contribute to more effective assessments of resources in sedimentary basins of northern Alaska and throughout the world, the Mineral Resources Program and the Energy Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initiated a project that was aimed at understanding the petroleum maturation and mineralization history of parts of the Brooks Range that were previously poorly characterized. The project, titled “Regional Fluid Flow and Basin Modeling in Northern Alaska,” was undertaken in collaboration with industry, academia, and other government agencies. This Circular contains papers that describe the results of the recently completed project. The studies that are highlighted in these papers have led to a better understanding of the following: The complex sedimentary facies relationships and depositional settings and the geochemistry of the sedimentary rocks that host the deposits (sections 2 and 3). The factors responsible for formation of the barite and zinc deposits (sections 4 and 5). The geochemical indicators or exploration tools that might be used to locate other large deposits of similar character in the Red Dog district and elsewhere (section 6). The isotopic compositions of barite and sulfide deposits (sections 7 and 8) The distribution and nature of phosphate and metalliferous oil shale localities (sections 9 and 10). The architecture, kinematics, and timing of the complex thrust systems that disrupted and redistributed the Carboniferous and younger rocks; these studies are necessary in order to make a realistic palinspastic reconstruction of the basin (sections 11 and 12). The nature and extent of the petroleum system sourced from Mississippian rocks (section 13).

Circular↗
USGS1999

Geology of Unga Island and the northwestern part of Popof Island: Chapter 2 in A geological and geophysical study of the gold-silver vein system of Unga Island, Southwestern Alaska

The first geologic map of Unga Island was published by Atwood (1911; scale 1:250,000), who correctly inferred the middle Tertiary age of the volcanic rocks and made the important distinction between the lava flows and the intrusive domes. Although Burk's (1964) reconnaissance map of the Alaska Peninsula (scale 1:250,000) has been modified in some respects, it does correct Atwood's map by replacing the Kenai Formation on northwestern Unga Island with the Unga Conglomerate and by recognizing the older Stepovak Formation elsewhere on Unga and Popof Islands. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field studies that were focused on the mineral-resource potential of the Alaska Peninsula began in the late 1970's. These studies led to a geologic map of the Port Moller quadrangle--including Unga Island--at 1:250,000 scale (Wilson and others, 1995), as well as summaries of mineral occurrences and geochronological studies (Wilson and others, 1988, 1994) and a formal revision of the stratigraphic units of the Alaska Peninsula (Detterman and others, 1996). As follow-up to the regional studies, a detailed study of the vein systems on Unga Island was undertaken as a collaborative effort between USGS and private industry (White and Queen, 1989). The fieldwork leading to the present report and geologic map was started in 1978 (Riehle and others, 1982) and was completed as part of the vein study. The objective was a better understanding of the geologic setting of the vein systems: the geologic history of the host rocks, the structural controls on the veins, and the types of processes that likely caused the mineralization.

Alaska↗
USGS2004

Summary of the hydrogeology of the Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, and Piedmont Physiographic Provinces in the eastern United States

The Appalachian Valley and Piedmont Regional Aquifer-System Analysis study (1988-1993) analyzed rock types in the 142,000-square-mile study area, identified hydrogeologic terranes, determined transmissivity distributions, determined the contribution of ground water to streamflow, modeled ground-water flow, described water quality, and identified areas suitable for the potential development of municipal and industrial ground-water supplies. Ground-water use in the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont Physiographic Provinces exceeds 1.7 billion gallons per day. Thirty-three rock types in the study area were analyzed, and the rock types with similar water-yielding characteristics were combined and mapped as 10 hydrogeologic terranes. Based on well records, the interquartile ranges of estimated transmissivities are between 180 to 17,000 feet squared per day (ft 2 /d) for five hydrologic terranes in the Valley and Ridge; between 9 to 350 ft 2 /d for two terranes in the Blue Ridge; and between 9 to 1,400 ft 2 /d for three terranes in the Piedmont Physiographic Province. Based on streamflow records, the interquartile ranges of estimated transmissivities for all three physiographic provinces are between 290 and 2,900 ft 2 /d. The mean ground-water contribution to streams from 157 drainage basins ranges from 32 to 94 percent of mean streamflow with a median of 67 percent. In three small areas in two of the physiographic provinces, more than 54 percent of ground-water flow was modeled as shallow and local. Although ground-water chemical composition in the three physiographic provinces is distinctly different, the water generally is not highly mineralized, with a median dissolved-solids concentration of 164 milligrams per liter, and is mostly calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Based on aquifer properties and current pumpage, areas favorable for the development of municipal and industrial ground-water supplies are underlain by alluvium of glacial origin near the northeastern part of the study area, by clay-free carbonate rocks primarily in the Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province, and by siliciclastic rocks in the three northernmost Mesozoic basins.

Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, ↗
USGS2006

Mineral of the month: tungsten

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals, one of the highest densities and, when combined with carbon, is almost as hard as diamond. These and other properties make it useful in a wide variety of important commercial, industrial and military applications.

Geotimes↗
USGS2010

Saline groundwater resources of the conterminous United States

Saline water is arbitrarily defined as water containing more than 1000 milligrams per liter of dissolved solids. Saline ground water is known to underlie about two‐thirds of the 48 states. Locally, aquifers yield saline ground water in profuse quantities, some of which is used by industry, particularly for cooling. Generally, however, saline water has been considered a nuisance. In this report it is dealt with as a resource, especially for the future. Forty chemical types of mineralized ground water were recognized, but sodium chloride dominates the occurrences and is almost the only type found where concentrations exceed about 20,000 mg/l. The occurrence and hydrologic properties of saline water aquifers deserve much more study than they have had. Copyright 1970 by the American Geophysical Union.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS1995

Energy and the environment - Application of geosciences to decision-making

This volume contains 67 extended abstracts that summarize some of the oral and poster presentations of the tenth annual V. E. McKelvey forum on mineral and energy resources, held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 13-17, 1995. The focus is on our energy resources and the environment, new research techniques, and cooperative efforts between the USGS and industry, State and Federal agencies, universities, and other countries.

Circular↗
USGS2010

Mineral facilities of Northern and Central Eurasia

This map displays almost 900 records of mineral facilities within the countries that formerly constituted the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Each record represents one commodity and one facility type at a single geographic location. Facility types include mines, oil and gas fields, and plants, such as refineries, smelters, and mills. Common commodities of interest include aluminum, cement, coal, copper, gold, iron and steel, lead, nickel, petroleum, salt, silver, and zinc. Records include attributes, such as commodity, country, location, company name, facility type and capacity (if applicable), and latitude and longitude geographical coordinates (in both degrees-minutes-seconds and decimal degrees). The data shown on this map and in table 1 were compiled from multiple sources, including (1) the most recently available data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook (Europe and Central Eurasia volume), (2) mineral statistics and information from the USGS Minerals Information Web site (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/europe.html), and (3) data collected by the USGS minerals information country specialists from sources, such as statistical publications of individual countries, annual reports and press releases of operating companies, and trade journals. Data reflect the most recent published table of industry structure for each country at the time of this publication. Additional information is available from the country specialists listed in table 2

Open-File Report↗
USGS2010

Mineral facilities of Europe

This map displays over 1,700 records of mineral facilities within the countries of Europe and western Eurasia. Each record represents one commodity and one facility type at a single geographic location. Facility types include mines, oil and gas fields, and plants, such as refineries, smelters, and mills. Common commodities of interest include aluminum, cement, coal, copper, gold, iron and steel, lead, nickel, petroleum, salt, silver, and zinc. Records include attributes, such as commodity, country, location, company name, facility type and capacity (if applicable), and latitude and longitude geographical coordinates (in both degrees-minutes-seconds and decimal degrees). The data shown on this map and in table 1 were compiled from multiple sources, including (1) the most recently available data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook (Europe and Central Eurasia volume), (2) mineral statistics and information from the USGS Minerals Information Web site (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/europe.html), and (3) data collected by the USGS minerals information country specialists from sources, such as statistical publications of individual countries, annual reports and press releases of operating companies, and trade journals. Data reflect the most recently published table of industry structure for each country at the time of this publication. Additional information is available from the country specialists listed in table 2.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2011

Mineral resource of the month: copper

The article provides information on copper and its various uses. It was the first metal used by humans and is considered as one of the materials that played an important role in the development of civilization. It is a major industrial metal because of its low cost, availability, electrical conductivity, high ductility and thermal conductivity. Copper has long been used in the circuitry of electronics and the distribution of electricity and is now being used in silicon-based computer chips, solar and wind power generation, and coinage.

Earth↗
USGS2004

Global environmental databases from CEOS agencies

The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) is an international organization charged with coordinating international civil spaceborne missions designed to observe and study planet Earth. Comprising 44 space agencies and other national and international organizations, CEOS is recognized as the major international forum for the coordination of Earth observation satellite programs and for the interaction of these programs with users of satellite data worldwide. CEOS was created in 1984 in response to a recommendation from the Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations Working Group on Growth, Technology, and Employment’s Panel of Experts on Satellite Remote Sensing. This group recognized the multidisciplinary nature of satellite Earth observation and the value of coordination across all proposed missions. The CEOS members collect, maintain, apply, and make available data from space missions that encompass the atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanographic fields. Collectively, these members possess petabytes of Earth observation data critical to understanding the Earth environment. Uses include monitoring oil slicks, evaluating human-induced changes to the atmosphere, determining mineral exploration areas, assessing the environmental effects of volcanic eruptions, measuring the growth of urban areas, determining where landscapes have changed because of urban growth trends, improving the efficiency of fishing as a world food stock, monitoring pest infestation, managing crop production, predicting climate and weather, and numerous other applications vital to industry, national infrastructures, and the world as a whole. The vast amount of satellite obtained, environmental data the CEOS members possess represents a fertile resource for researchers worldwide to exploit.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2025

The Mammoth magnetic anomaly, Pinal County, Arizona

A high-resolution Earth Mapping Resources Initiative airborne geophysical survey was flown in the southwest North American porphyry copper province to improve bedrock geologic maps and to identify areas that have unrecognized critical mineral resource potential. During the review of the aeromagnetic data, a distinctly monopolar-shaped, negative magnetic anomaly was observed at a flight elevation of 200 m above the ground with a maximum amplitude of –9500 nT. We have named this the Mammoth magnetic anomaly (MMA) because it is centered 12 km northeast of the town of Mammoth, Arizona, USA. The total field anomaly (TFA) contour of –500 nT enclosing the MMA defines an elongate shape measuring 2.5 km long by 1 km wide that trends northwest–southeast. Given the striking nature of this negative, monopolar-shaped magnetic anomaly, we conducted a ground campaign in May 2025 to determine its authenticity and potential relationship to critical mineral endowment. The MMA was confirmed on the ground with a TFA approaching –46,000 nT. Total magnetic intensity (TMI) observations routinely fell below the 18,000 nT operating floor of an industry-standard cesium-vapor total field magnetometer, and extremely low TMI measurements were corroborated along coincident traverse lines using two high dynamic range, but lower sensitivity, smartphone vector magnetometers. The lowest TMI values recorded by both smartphone magnetometers were 1000 nT and confirmed with multiple adjacent and crossing lines. Field observations suggest that this magnetic feature is caused by strong remanent magnetization within fine-grained magnetite hosted within locally altered Pinal Schist.

Arizona↗