USGS Mapped 1,271 Critical Mineral Deposits
The agency expanded its official registry to include 60 critical minerals across 41 states and Puerto Rico.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Geography
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The U.S. Geological Survey has released an updated map documenting 1,271 critical mineral deposits. This expansion highlights 59 distinct minerals to help reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
Why it matters
Identifying these domestic resources supports national efforts to secure stable mineral supplies. It provides a clearer picture of available assets that could potentially reduce dependence on international sources.
The new mapping includes 412 deposits that have identified resources but no history of production. Researchers utilized data from the ongoing Earth Mapping Resources Initiative to catalog these sites across 41 states and Puerto Rico.
The players
U.S. Geological Survey
This is a scientific agency of the United States government that studies the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who signed Executive Order 13817 in 2017 to address critical mineral dependency.
The details
The expanded classification now includes 60 critical minerals, up from the previous 50, with recent additions such as copper, silver, uranium, and lead. This comprehensive data set represents a significant update to the agency's records, integrating previously known deposits to provide a more accurate national inventory.
Timeline
President Trump signed Executive Order 13817 in 2017.
The previous version of the mineral map was released in 2024.
The updated map was highlighted in reporting on October 5, 2026.
Deeper Dive
The USGS map follows the directive established by Executive Order 13817 to reduce dependence on foreign mineral supplies.
As the U.S. continues re-mapping efforts, this data provides a foundation for future exploration and industrial investment decisions. Increased knowledge of domestic reserves may eventually influence regional economies where new extraction operations are considered.
The takeaway
This updated mapping provides a clearer view of domestic resources available for potential development. Readers should note that while these deposits are identified, many remain unproven for commercial-scale production.
Further reading
Learn more about the nation's physical landscape and natural resource distribution in our Geography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsweek.
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Should the U.S. prioritize expanding domestic mineral production to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains?
