As the world’s most powerful nations rush to secure the strategic resources needed for economic dominance, the U.S. federal government has realized that Utah’s mineral wealth could potentially provide America with a competitive advantage. Recently, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) allocated $6.6 million to the Beehive State for the purpose of critical mineral discovery. This funding will be used by the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) in order to implement the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) throughout the state’s Great Basin and Colorado Plateau regions. The project will allow scientists to utilize advanced technology in the creation of detailed charts that indicate the location of valuable materials within and below the Earth’s surface.
Critical minerals are essential for the functioning of modern society, and China controls much of their supply chain. Rare earth materials are used as components for products that affect almost every aspect of our daily lives. For example, these substances are required for the manufacturing of microchips, defense systems, mobile phones, household appliances, renewable energy infrastructure, and electric vehicles. In 2023, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that China oversees 63% of the world’s critical mineral mining sector, allowing Beijing to build a stockpile of 44 million metric tons of these materials. This valuable cache of resources dwarfs America’s 2.3 million metric tons of reserves and places China in a position to become the foremost leader in international trade. Beijing’s control over critical minerals also serves as a source of leverage in negotiations with the United States. If China decided to withhold these materials from American companies, the prices of most electronic goods would skyrocket, potentially triggering an economic recession.
Photo Courtesy Critical Minerals Journal
This resource disparity is one of America’s geopolitical vulnerabilities; however, the federal government has anticipated the problem and is enacting measures that could transform the United States into the world leader in critical mineral extraction. Over the past decade, elected officials in both parties have reached a consensus on the importance of this issue and passed legislation that will develop a domestic supply chain for these materials. The Earth MRI funding is a part of this greater effort and originates in 2021’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This bill awarded $510.7 million to the USGS in order to help geologists scour the 2.26 billion acres of land within America for these materials.
The USGS selected Utah as a recipient of the Earth MRI subsidies because the state is particularly rich in natural resources. According to the Utah Mining Association, the Beehive State is already known to contain 40 of the 50 critical minerals deemed strategically important by the federal government. In addition to the variety and amount of Utah’s valuable geologic materials, the state’s regulatory environment is also conducive to resource extraction projects. In 2023, the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, surveyed over 2,000 mining companies in order to rank the areas of the world with the best investment potential for resource extraction endeavors. The mining firms voted that Utah was the most attractive market and cited the state’s favorable policies as one of the main factors in their decision. In a recent post on X, U.S. Senator John Curtis (R) showcased the Beehive State’s enthusiasm for natural resource extraction: “Utah has the resources and expertise to lead in safe, responsible critical mineral production, reducing our reliance on foreign adversaries like China. Investing in domestic mining strengthens both our national security and our economy.”
Photo Courtesy The United States Geological Survey
Utah has already commissioned mineral discovery expeditions for the Earth MRI project. The UGS is spending $300,000 of the funding to conduct geochemical surveys of the Fish Springs Mining District. On these exploratory missions, geologists will capture rock and soil samples in the western wilderness of Juab County. They will then administer laboratory tests of the specimens to determine if they contain rare earth materials. When these natural resources are identified, the UGS plans to extensively chart the locations in which these minerals are found. During the mapping process, researchers will use airborne lidar and other innovative technologies to determine the extent of the resource deposits, after which mining can commence.
This initial geochemical survey illustrates Utah’s importance to America’s overall critical mineral strategy. In this case, the UGS is specifically looking for indium because the Beehive State houses the only known source of this material in the United States. Indium is essential for the production of televisions, touch screens, EV batteries, and solar panels. It is also used in the creation of electronic warfare jammers, which are indispensable to our national defense capabilities. Until now, China has owned more than 72% of the world’s indium supply, so the results of the Earth MRI project has the potential to help reduce America’s dependence on Beijing.
Photo Courtesy Claire Spangenberg Kellner
The Earth MRI studies will likely cement Utah as one of our nation’s greatest economic assets while insulating America from Chinese influence. In a press release, Stephanie Mills, a senior geologist at UGS, explained how state and federal authorities are working together for the good of our national interests: “We are excited for this project and the commitment it represents to furthering Utah’s understanding and stewardship of mineral resources, particularly in the new era of critical minerals. This geophysical survey is the first to create a comprehensive geologic framework over important and unique mineral districts in west central Utah. We are proud to partner with the USGS and to be part of a successful state and federal government collaboration that addresses essential research into our nation’s mineral resource landscape.”
