Geochemical reanalysis of nure samples from the colorado plateau, new mexico, utah, colorado, and arizonaproject period: 08 10 2023 08 09 2026AWARD purposethe area contains 36 focus areas covering…

This Cooperative Agreement was awarded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), part of the Department of the Interior, under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) program. The $660,018 award will fund a project to reanalyze existing National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) sediment samples from the Colorado Plateau region using modern geochemical methods. The goal is to provide updated data that can support regional mineral resource assessments and geological studies, particularly for critical minerals.

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources will serve as the primary state survey, working cooperatively with the geological surveys in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Key activities include compiling existing data, developing sampling methods, collecting and analyzing new samples, and producing a final technical report and geochemical data. The sub-awards to the Utah Geological Survey, Colorado School of Mines, and University of Arizona will support reanalysis of NURE samples and additional field sampling in specific focus areas across the Colorado Plateau region.

Geochemical reanalysis of nure samples from the colorado plateau, new mexico, utah, colorado, and arizonaproject period: 08 10 2023 08 09 2026AWARD purposethe area contains 36 focus areas covering 14 mineral systems and 38 deposit types and represents a significant geologic and mineral resource province, including numerous critical minerals. This project proposes to have a select group of existing nure sediment pulps to be reanalyzed by the usgsusing modern geochemical methods. This data would be invaluable for use in regional mineralresource assessments and general geologic studies. In addition, select focus areas containing critical mineralswill be resampled to add to knowledge in critical areas.new mexico bureau of geology and mineral resources will serve as the primary statesurvey, and will work cooperatively in a leadership role with the secondary state surveys, arizona, utah, and colorado, throughout the period of performance. The desired multi-statepartnership has been assembled by the primary state geological survey to ensure a broadevaluation of the colorado plateau focus area as outlined in the accompanying focus areadescription, and accordingly IT will be necessary to reach out and acquire samples from the stategeological surveys listed above. The primary geologic survey will distribute funding to thesecondary and the supporting state geological surveys, to secure samples of relevantstratigraphic intervals, develop the methodology for sample collection and samplecharacterization, coordinate sample submittals to the USGS geochemistry laboratory, evaluatethe geochemical results, and develop a report and geochemical data release that summarizes thesalient conclusions of the study. Activities to be PERFORMED1. Compile all available data and enter into GIS if appropriate, develop DATABASE2. Define sampling methods to be used by all participating state geological surveys.3. Create maps of existing nure sample locations with land status to direct new stream sediment, rock, and soil sampling. Employ drainage basin analysis in GIS to determine coverage of stream sediment samples.4. Determine which existing nure samples should be reanalyzed and submit list to USGS.5. Construct a well-documented geochemical database, following USGS provision of geochemical data based on analyses of the submitted samples.6. Collect new stream sediment, rock, and soil samples. Send to USGS for analysis. Perform mineralogical analysis where appropriate.7. Compilation of final technical report, geochemical data, and sample map. Presentation at meetings. Publication in appropriate journals.deliverablesthe deliverables will include a technical report, along with geochemical andmineralogical data. Results will be presented at conferences in FY23-24 at new mexicogeological society spring meetings and annual meetings of the geological society of america, society of economic geologists (SEG) and or society for mining, metallurgy, and exploration, INC. (SME). Publication in appropriate journals will follow.intended beneficiariesthis project is important to the states involved because critical mineral resourcesmust be identified before land exchanges, withdrawals or other land use decisions are made bygovernment officials. Some land investigated is U.S. Forest service, who also required thesedata for land decision making, including potential permitting of exploration and mining efforts.future mining of potential critical minerals deposits will directly benefit the economy of therespective states. Furthermore, this project will include training and teaching of younger, professional geologists and students in economic geology by the PIS.subrecipients:utah geological survey, colorado geological survey, arizona geological survey