USGS updates database of 1,271 U.S. critical-mineral deposits
The U.S. Geological Survey released a database of 1,271 known deposits of 59 critical minerals across 41 states and Puerto Rico.
Event / data period: 2026-09-29
Published: · Updated:
USGS said 412 deposits have documented resources but no past production recorded. The inventory guides geological mapping and helps the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) prioritize field surveys. It does not establish an economic reserve. A listed deposit is not the same as an economically recoverable reserve; the map supports assessment of resource potential.
Data
USGS updates database of 1,271 U.S. critical-mineral deposits
- · Occurred
USGS updates database of 1,271 U.S. critical-mineral deposits
The U.S. Geological Survey released a database of 1,271 known deposits of 59 critical minerals across 41 states and Puerto Rico.
Methodology
Source: USGS database announcement of September 29, 2026. Counts cover known deposit records across 41 states and Puerto Rico; the 412 records meet both criteria of documented resources and no past production. They are not counts of economic reserves.
Updated:
USGS updates database of 1,271 U.S. critical-mineral deposits
- Known deposits of 59 critical minerals
- 1,271 count
- 2026-09-29 · Observed
- Deposits with documented resources and no past production
- 412 count
- 2026-09-29 · Observed
Methodology
Source: USGS database announcement of September 29, 2026. Counts cover known deposit records across 41 states and Puerto Rico; the 412 records meet both criteria of documented resources and no past production. They are not counts of economic reserves.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Subject proposals
- EconomySuggested
- Preserved editorial category/topic; broad candidate onlywww.usgs.gov ↗
- Metal and mineral mining and refiningSuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: mineralwww.usgs.gov ↗
Geographic references
Only source-provided geographic references are shown. Opening an external map is optional. Optional story maps use OpenStreetMap. Opening a map sends your IP address and this site’s address to the map provider; location data remains readable as text without loading the map.
- United States · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredwww.usgs.gov ↗