The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - September 30, 2022
The American Southwest hyperspectral critical minerals survey will be flown by NASA's AVIRIS, the first full range imaging spectrometer dedicated to Earth remote measurement.
Rock samples collected from the Orange Hill copper project in Alaska as shown with standard photography (top); and the same specimens as they look with hyperspectral imaging.
To gain a broader view of potential domestic sources of the minerals needed for everything from electronic devices and household tools to electric vehicles and wind turbines, the U.S. Geological Survey has teamed up with NASA to use airborne hyperspectral imaging to scan portions of the American Southwest for critical minerals.
"NASA has a long history of Earth observation that shows us how the planet is responding to climate change," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "This project builds on our 60-year legacy, and can show us where to look for the resources that support our transition to a clean energy economy."
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden earlier this year, this $16 million program is part of the USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative, or Earth MRI, a partnership between the USGS, Association of American State Geologists, and state geological surveys to better understand America's geology and mineral resource potential through new mapping, geophysics, and geochemical sampling.
Using NASA's Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer high-altitude Earth remote sensing platform, USGS will collect hyperspectral data over large regions of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
"With our partners at USGS, NASA has led the way in developing these Earth observation systems to gather information to measure and monitor the environment and climate change," Nelson added.
Hyperspectral imaging collects reflections of light from surfaces, measured across hundreds of frequency bands that range from visible light into the infrared spectrum that cannot be seen with the human eye.
Because each mineral in a rock has its own unique spectral signature when reflecting the various bands of light, the data collected from a hyperspectral survey can help geologists to pinpoint the best places to look for mineral resources.
USGS scientists have previously used hyperspectral data to analyze mineral potential in Alaska.
While hyperspectral imaging can help discover new critical mineral deposits in a state that is as vast and mineral-rich as Alaska, it is expected to work even better in the American Southwest.
The reason for this is hyperspectral imaging depends on outcropping exposures of rocks. In places like Alaska, hyperspectral surveying only works on the rocks that are not covered by trees, tundra, shrubs, glaciers, and other ground cover.
In the arid and dry deserts of the American Southwest, on the other hand, there are a lot more rocks available to bounce hyperspectral light off of.
In addition to looking for unmined critical mineral deposits, the five-year hyperspectral survey will also evaluate tailings and waste from past mining for minerals that were previously discarded but are now considered critical due to new uses in clean energy and other high-tech applications.
As a prime example, USGS recently analyzed tailings from historical iron mining in New York's Adirondack Mountains for rare earths, a group of elements that has gained increasing applications over the past five decades but had no use during Industrial Age iron mining.
The data collected from the hyperspectral survey in the American Southwest and other Earth MRI programs are also expected to help elevate the understanding of a variety of other earth science and biological issues, including acid mine drainage, debris flows, agriculture, wildfires, and biodiversity.
"The data we're collecting will be foundational for not only critical minerals research but also for a wide range of other scientific applications, from natural hazards mitigation to ecosystem restoration," said USGS Director David Applegate.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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