Priority 2: mine waste characterization of southeast missouri iron metallogenic province - iron mountain site and priority 3: earth MRI workshopproject period: 9 1 2025 through 8 31 2027AWARD purpose:…

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, through its Missouri Geological Survey (MGS), received a $170,455 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027. The award funds two primary activities: (1) mine waste characterization of the Southeast Missouri Iron Metallogenic Province at the Iron Mountain Site in collaboration with New Frontier Materials to assess critical mineral potential, and (2) participation by two MGS staff members in an in-person Earth MRI workshop in Reston, Virginia (October 28-30, 2025) to coordinate Missouri's involvement in future Earth MRI projects.

The characterization work includes two years of field sampling and geochemical analysis conducted under USGS sampling protocols, with samples submitted to USGS for detailed analysis and completion by Fiscal Year 2027. Deliverables include geospatial data from site characterization, geochemical data from field work, field maps and notebooks, and a final interpretative report documenting methods, data, and site descriptions. All data will be archived and made publicly available to benefit government, academic, and industry geologists, planners, and other entities seeking enhanced access to geochemistry data from mine waste sites. No subrecipients are associated with this award.

Activities

The missouri geological survey (MGS) plans to conduct mine waste characterization of the southeast missouri iron metallogenic province - iron mountain site. Field work and sampling is planned for a two-year time frame and will be supported by sampling protocols and guidance provided by USGS. Samples will be sent to USGS for detailed geochemical analysis. Work will be completed in FY27. The missouri geological survey (MGS) proposes to send two staff to the planned in-person workshop in reston, VA in october 28-30, 2025. The workshop is crucial to all current and future earth MRI related projects in missouri.deliverables and expected outcomes: deliverables for this priority will include all relevant geospatial data collected at site characterization, geochemical data from field work at the site, and a final interpretative report with details on methods, data used, and site descriptions upon completion of the project. Field maps and notebooks will be archived upon completion. Data from the project will be made available to the public.

Intended beneficiaries

Government, academic, and industry geologists will have greater access to geochemistry data collected in the piles, as will other government and planning entities. By attending the workshop, MGS will gain knowledge on how to plan for future earth MRI projects in the state.

Subrecipient activities

There are no subrecipients associated with this project.