Highwise Tech
U.S.

USGS Mapped 1,271 Domestic Critical Mineral Deposits

The newly released database catalogues deposits across 41 states to bolster domestic supply chains.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Geography

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a cylindrical mineral core sample showing geological strata, symbolizing domestic resource surveying.
The U.S. Geological Survey released a comprehensive database of 1,271 critical mineral deposits, aimed at bolstering domestic supply chain security and resource development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the U.S. prioritize expanding domestic mineral production over relying on foreign supply sources?

The U.S. Geological Survey has released an updated database detailing 1,271 mineral deposits across 41 states and Puerto Rico. This comprehensive resource tracks 59 critical minerals to identify domestic supply potential.

Why it matters

By identifying untapped resources, the initiative aims to strengthen the American economy and mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions. The effort provides a foundation for assessing where critical mineral extraction might feasibly expand.

The database covers 59 critical minerals, including uranium, copper, silver, and silicon. It reveals that nine of the ten minerals currently at the highest risk for supply chain disruption are present within the United States.

The players

U.S. Geological Survey

A scientific agency of the United States government that monitors the landscape, natural resources, and geological hazards.

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative

A USGS research project that conducts airborne geophysical and topographic surveys to map domestic resource potential.

The details

The USGS compiled these records by aggregating multiple existing databases and classifying sites according to mineral systems and deposit types. This effort supports the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, which employs airborne geophysical and topographic surveys to characterize geological features. To date, this program has successfully re-mapped one-third of the United States.

Timeline

  1. 2017: The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative began following Executive Order 13817.

  2. 2025: The USGS developed the current List of Critical Minerals.

  3. September 29, 2026: The USGS released the updated critical mineral deposits database.

  4. 2031: The target date to complete assessments of domestic critical mineral resource potential.

The Tech Race

This database release marks a critical milestone in executing the resource-mapping strategy originally mandated by Executive Order 13817. The initiative acts as the primary U.S. countermeasure to international supply chain dominance by identifying specific, actionable domestic reserves.

This data provides a map for future domestic extraction projects, which may eventually shift the geography of mining and supply chain logistics. While the database is currently an informational tool, it identifies specific regions that may see increased geological survey activity over the next five years.

The takeaway

The updated database provides the first comprehensive view of the 412 deposits that are known but have never been brought into production. Stakeholders and industry analysts should monitor the 2031 assessment deadline, which will likely dictate which of these 1,271 sites move toward potential development.

What happens next

The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative plans to finalize its assessment of total domestic critical mineral resource potential by 2031.

Further reading

For more on how landscape data drives policy, explore the Geography section.

Live Poll

Should the U.S. prioritize expanding domestic mineral production over relying on foreign supply sources?