Mine waste characterization in washington state 2025-2027PROJECT period: 9 1 2025 through 8 31 2027AWARD purpose: the washington geological survey (WGS) is working to build a comprehensive inventory…

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) awarded $303,043 to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) on September 1, 2025, for a two-year mine waste characterization project extending through August 31, 2027. The Washington Geological Survey will develop a comprehensive inventory and geochemical characterization of legacy mine waste sites across Washington State, assessing up to 15 sites and collecting 135 solid-phase geochemical samples using USGS-aligned protocols. The project will refine mobile Geographic Information System (GIS)-based field-data collection protocols using ESRI Field Maps and generate site-specific reports and a statewide synthesis including critical mineral estimates and waste volume calculations.

Deliverables include a final published report with geochemical summaries and methodology, an ArcGIS geodatabase linked to the National Geochemical Database, volume estimates for mine waste, ore deposit type classifications, resource estimates for critical and non-critical commodities, and archived field notes and structured field sampling workflows. All deliverables will be provided within 90 days of project completion, with project updates supplied semi-annually. This work supports the USGS mission to expand understanding of domestic critical mineral resources and advance federal-state partnership objectives in nationwide geologic mapping and mine waste characterization.

Activities

The project involves four core objectives: : refine mobile GIS-based field-data collection protocols using an esri field maps schema. Assess and characterize up to 15 mine-waste sites across washington. Collect and analyze 135 solid-phase geochemical samples following USGS-aligned protocols. Produce site-specific reports and a statewide synthesis, including critical-mineral estimates, waste volumes, and archive digital geospatial data.geospatial datasets and reports will be developed for each site. Samples will be processed by the USGS, with WGS interpreting geochemical results and publishing a final summary report.deliverable and outcomes: priority 2: within 90 days of project completion, WGS will provide: a final WGS-published report with interpretation of results, geochemical sumaries, and methodology.chemical summaries, and methodology. An arcgis geodatabase linking mine-waste features to the national geochemical database. Volume estimates for mine-waste. Classification of ORE deposit types using the hofstra and others (2021) classification scheme. Resource estimates for critical and associated non-critical commodities. Archived field notes and structured field sampling workflows. Project updates will be provided every six months.priority 3: in-person attendance at the USGS-hosted earth MRI workshop in reston, VA in october 2025.

Intended beneficiaries

This project supports federal, state, tribal, and local land and resource managers by informing remediation, land-use planning, and critical-mineral strategies. IT also benefits the mining industry by identifying potential secondary sources of critical-minerals. The project will provide early-career training opportunities for geoscience graduates and build institutional knowledge in mine-waste characterization across WGS and its partners.

Subrecipient activities

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