Title: critical mineral potential hosted in proterozoic rocks, arizonaproject period: sept. 1, 2024 to AUG. 31, 2027PURPOSE:the objective of this project is to geochemically characterize major…

This Cooperative Agreement award, issued by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073), provides $330,000 to the University of Arizona to geochemically characterize major Proterozoic ore deposits and rock types in Arizona. The key activities and deliverables include:

1. Collecting samples from Proterozoic lithologies and ore deposits across Arizona's Transition Zone and Basin and Range provinces.
2. Compiling legacy data and conducting geochemical, mineralogical, and geochronological analysis of select samples.
3. Producing a comprehensive summary report that provides a regional assessment based on the compiled and new analytical data.

The project aims to develop a fundamental dataset on the critical mineral potential of Arizona's Proterozoic geology, which can inform economic and scientific interests related to the state's subsurface resources. The award has a performance period from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027.

Intended beneficiaries

Azgs products are used by numerous stakeholders, including decision policymakers, professional geologists in engineering, environmental, and minerals geology, student andacademic geologists, and members of the public interested in their local geology. The recipient anticipatesthe products from this project being particularly useful to exploration geologists and researchersworking on the genesis of critical mineral-bearing deposits in arizona.