This $379,230 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) will fund the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) at Montana Technological University to conduct geologic mapping, geochemical sampling, and critical minerals resource assessment in the historic Basin District and surrounding areas of the Boulder Batholith in Montana. Key activities include 1:48,000 and 1:12,000 scale geologic mapping, whole-rock geochemistry, mineralogy and mineral chemistry analysis, and geochronology. The project aims to refine the spatial and temporal understanding of mineral systems in the region and evaluate the critical commodity potential, with deliverables including geologic maps, geochemical data, and a critical minerals prospectivity assessment. As part of the award, 200 whole-rock geochemical analyses will be made publicly available. The project also provides research experience for student field and lab assistants. Awarded on September 1, 2024, this 3-year Cooperative Agreement will run through August 31, 2027.