Geologic mapping, geochemistry, and geochronology in the quetico subprovince andadjacent boundary zonesproject period: 03 01 2026 - 02 28 2029PURPOSE: the minnesota geological survey (MGS) will…

The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a Cooperative Agreement of $350,034 to the Regents of the University of Minnesota on March 1, 2026, under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) for geologic mapping, geochemistry, and geochronology in the Quetico Subprovince and adjacent boundary zones across north-central Minnesota.

The Minnesota Geological Survey will produce a new regional-scale geologic map incorporating field mapping, drill core logging, geochronologic, geochemical, petrophysical, and geophysical data with a focus on petrologic and tectonic controls on rare earth element, lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatite, nickel-copper-platinum group element, and volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Deliverables include a peer-reviewed MGS Report of Investigations publication communicating the structural, lithologic, mineralogic, geochemical, thermal, and tectonic history and controls on critical mineral occurrences in the region, reprocessed and updated geophysical maps, geologic cross sections, and peer-reviewed MGS Miscellaneous Map Series digital publications. Geochemical and geochronologic samples will be analyzed by partnering laboratories at the USGS and contracted laboratories.

Performance occurs in Minnesota with a period from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2029. The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative facilitates geologic and geochemical mapping activities and related data collection to advance understanding of domestic critical mineral resources and other economically valuable mineral and energy resources, groundwater, geologic hazards, and infrastructure dependencies on subsurface geology.

Activities

The MGS will create a new, regional scale, geologic map of the regionincorporating and informed by compiled and newly collected field mapping, core logging, geochronologic, geochemical, petrophysical, and geophysical data. Accompanying the geologic map willbe reprocessed geophysical data, updated geophysical maps, geologic cross sections, and acomprehensive technical report published as an MGS report of investigations publication. The technicalreport will communicate the structural, lithologic, mineralogic, geochemical, thermal, and tectonic historyand controls on critical mineral occurrences in the region. Geochemical and geochronologic samples willbe collected concurrently with field mapping and core logging efforts and will be analyzed by partneringlaboratories at the USGS and contracted laboratories.deliverables: peer-reviewed multi-chapter MGS report of investigations publication peer-reviewed MGS miscellaneous map series digital publication, compiled at a scale OF1:250,000 with explanatory text and level 3 gems-compliance geophysical maps and derivatives from RE-gridded gravity and aeromagnetic data rock properties dataset generated from field mapping, core logging, and geochemical andgeochronology samples, and uploaded to respective MGS d-14 online database minimum of two 2D geophysical models and derivative schematic cross sections across key areasof interest, which will incorporate rock properties and geophysical derivatives geochemical data incorporated into statewide geochemical database geochronological data uploaded to MGS d-07 online database, and submitted to USGS in apreferred format, after data have been published.beneficiaries: the intended beneficiaries of this project include the united states of america, USGS, MGS, the state of minnesota, MN department of natural resources lands and minerals division, counties and local governments, universities and researchers, engineering and planning firms, and mineralexploration and development firms.