Assessing the industrial mineral potential of puerto rico 2025-2028PROJECT period: 6 1 2025 through 5 31 2028AWARD purpose: this project aims to assess, document, and analyze puerto ricos industrial…

This Cooperative Agreement award, funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under its CFDA 15.808 Research and Data Collection program, provides $499,917 to the University of Puerto Rico Research and Development Center to assess and document Puerto Rico's industrial mineral resources. The project aims to develop a comprehensive geodatabase cataloguing the distribution, availability, and production of Puerto Rico's industrial minerals, particularly in the context of supporting disaster recovery and infrastructure resilience efforts. Key activities include conducting geological assessments of active and historic extraction sites, performing petrographic and geochemical analysis, and training students in mineral resource evaluation and geospatial analysis. The project will deliver a publicly accessible database, high-resolution maps, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications, providing critical information to government agencies, industry, and researchers engaged in Puerto Rico's recovery and development planning.

Activities

Develop a geodatabase of industrial mineral occurrences, estimated reserves, and accessibility, integrating past studies, the united states geological survey mineral resources data system, and new data. Conduct site visits and geological assessments of active and historic extraction sites to document composition, volume, and operational status. Perform petrographic and geochemical analysis to evaluate mineral composition and usability of major sites. Train students in mineral resource assessment, fieldwork, and geospatial analysis.deliverables and expected outcomes a publicly accessible geodatabase and database documenting industrial mineral resources, their extent, volumetric estimates, and properties. High-resolution maps and technical reports on industrial mineral deposits. Petrographic and geochemical characterization reports of key sites. Peer-reviewed publications and graduate theses advancing scientific knowledge. Data that is accessible to government agencies (united states geological survey, federal emergency management agency, and private industry for resource planning and disaster preparedness.intended beneficiaries USGS, FEMA, and puerto rico agencies involved in disaster recovery and resource management. Private sector stakeholders in construction and infrastructure. Universities and researchers studying economic geology and geologic hazards. Puerto rican residents and businesses benefiting from improved infrastructure resilience. Students gaining hands-on research experience in mineral assessment and GIS analysis.

Subrecipient activities

No subrecipients have been identified