A new map of critical mineral deposits in the United States shows nearly twice as many deposits as the last dataset released in 2024. However, the increase is not due to the discovery of hundreds of new mineral deposits. Geological Survey (USGS), in the newly released map, has documented 1,271 deposits across 41 states and Puerto Rico, an increase from 684 in its previous count.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum shared the map on X, writing that the country has “MASSIVE untapped potential” and that the new map was part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to “expand American mineral production and reduce reliance on foreign sources.” The new numbers reflect how the USGS has updated the map to include previously known deposits in its database and expanded the list of minerals it considers critical. "Nine of the 10 critical minerals at greatest risk for supply chain disruption, including four rare-earth elements, are present in the U.S.” She added that publishing the map will provide useful knowledge for industry, investors and the public, as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign sources for key minerals. Newsweek contacted the USGS via email on Monday for comment.
The map identifies sites across the country where there are critical mineral deposits. The database includes information on which critical minerals are present and the type of geological deposit. It also notes whether each site has unmined resources or whether it has previously or recently been mined.
Deposits are also given a ranked value from 1 to 5, based on whether they are past, current or potential future producers and whether they have known mineral resources or reserves. Of these, 412 deposits have documented critical mineral resources but no known past or current production. The database was produced to support the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, which is currently re-mapping the entire United States.
The USGS released a similar database in 2024, but the earlier dataset was compiled differently. Before the latest map was released, the agency expanded the list of minerals classified as critical from 50 to 60. The new minerals added included copper, silver, uranium and lead.
One of the newly classified critical minerals, metallurgical coal, is not included on the new map, meaning it depicts deposits of 59 different critical minerals. The map depicts 587 more critical mineral deposits than the previous version, although not all represent newly identified deposits. The increase reflects the database expansion to include deposits that were not included in the earlier version.
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