FY25 mine waste characterization in azproject period: 8 1 2025 through 7 31 2027AWARD purpose:priority 1 - the arizona geological survey is proposing to compile records of mine waste sites in…

The University of Arizona, operating as the Arizona Board of Regents, received a $340,201 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Acquisitions and Grants under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) to conduct mine waste characterization research in Arizona from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2027. The project encompasses two primary priorities: (1) compiling a geographic information systems (GIS)-based inventory of mine waste sites across five Arizona counties (Yuma, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, and Apache) to estimate remaining critical mineral resources based on known geology and production history; and (2) conducting composite sampling and geochemical analysis of mine waste at eight locations across three counties (Maricopa, Yavapai, and Mojave) representing five different deposit types.

The deliverables include a comprehensive GIS database of mine waste features, field-based composite and grab samples from historic mining sites, geochemical analysis of solid samples conducted through USGS laboratories, and petrographic analysis of tailings material. The project directly supports the nation's critical minerals strategy by identifying potential secondary sources of green energy transition materials within legacy mine waste, thereby informing decisions regarding resource recovery opportunities and contributing to domestic energy independence objectives.

Activities

Priority 1 - inventory of mine waste features using geographic information systems (GIS)priority 2 - (1) composite sampling of historic mine waste sites (2) geochemical analysis of solid samples by USGS labs (3) petrographic analysis of mine soils, tailings, and ORE materials and (4) estimating potential resources in each mine waste site.deliverables and expected outcomes:priority 1 - (1) a minimum of 30 additional mine waste records covering southwestern and northeastern arizona integrated into a populated arcgis database delivered to usmin (2) a brief report describing the processes and summarizing the contents of the submission and (3) azgs open-file report synthesizing the above items published to the azgs data repository.priority 2 - (1) digitized field notes and interpretations of geochemical and petrographic studies (2) volume, load, and grade estimates of mine waste sites: and (3) detailed report that includes all of the above.

Intended beneficiaries

Arizona geological survey products are intended to be used by numerous stakeholders, including decision policymakers, professional engineering, environmental, and economic geologists, academic geologists, and members of the public. We anticipate synthesis products being particularly useful to planners and engineering geologists interested in resources for infrastructure development, environmental hydrogeologists interested in water resources, and exploration mine geologists looking for mineral resources.

Subrecipient activities

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