G24AC00629
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Project Abstract Summary
Project Title: Kuskokwim-Seward Geophysical Surveys
Project Period: December 15, 2024 to December 14, 2027
This project builds understanding of the United States potential to host yet-to-be-discovered deposits of critical mineral resources through geophysical surveying of selected areas with known potential and limited available data.
The project is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's ongoing Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).
The Kuskokwim-Seward Geophysical Surveys project covers multiple regions of western Alaska.
Critical minerals are mineral commodities that are both critical to the U.S. economy and national security and have a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.
As of 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey lists 50 such commodities.
The U.S. Geological Survey identified the Kuskokwim River region of Alaska as prospective for rare-earth elements (REE), tin-tungsten systems, platinum group elements as well as other critical and non-critical mineral resources in multiple permissible mineral-system types.
On the Seward Peninsula, the U.S. Geological Survey has identified high potential for tin-tungsten-tantalum-fluorspar, copper-cobalt-silver-germanium-gallium, REE-thorium-yttrium-niobium systems, as well as other critical and conventional mineral resources.
Airborne magnetic and radiometric data will be collected in the Kuskokwim River and Seward Peninsula regions of Alaska.
The resulting high-quality geophysical data will provide the framework for enhancing future Alaska Division of Geological Geophysical Surveys and U.S. Geological Survey geological mapping and mineral-resource evaluations.
Geophysical data are routinely used in geoscience investigations to map the spatial distribution of an area's geologic features in 2D and 3D space, and to guide scientific studies, geologic mapping, mineral-resource evaluations, and exploration efforts.
Magnetic data are useful for distinguishing various magnetic units and for correlating geology through areas covered by vegetation and surficial deposits.
Radiometric data are useful for distinguishing igneous rock suites with varying uranium, thorium, and potassium contents, and differentiating igneous rocks with varying mineral-resource potential.
Deliverables from this project will include the raw and processed magnetic and radiometric geophysical data.
These data will be available to the public and will be published in a variety of digital data formats suitable to users of all levels, enhancing data uptake and usability.
The intended beneficiaries of this project include all parties with an interest in mineral resources and the bedrock geology of Alaska, including state and federal land managers, mineral exploration companies, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations, scientific researchers, and the interested public.
Anticipated subrecipients of this award will be airborne geophysical contractors, aviation service providers, and supporting businesses in the communities in which these surveys will be based out of.
Project Title: Kuskokwim-Seward Geophysical Surveys
Project Period: December 15, 2024 to December 14, 2027
This project builds understanding of the United States potential to host yet-to-be-discovered deposits of critical mineral resources through geophysical surveying of selected areas with known potential and limited available data.
The project is part of the U.S. Geological Survey's ongoing Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).
The Kuskokwim-Seward Geophysical Surveys project covers multiple regions of western Alaska.
Critical minerals are mineral commodities that are both critical to the U.S. economy and national security and have a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.
As of 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey lists 50 such commodities.
The U.S. Geological Survey identified the Kuskokwim River region of Alaska as prospective for rare-earth elements (REE), tin-tungsten systems, platinum group elements as well as other critical and non-critical mineral resources in multiple permissible mineral-system types.
On the Seward Peninsula, the U.S. Geological Survey has identified high potential for tin-tungsten-tantalum-fluorspar, copper-cobalt-silver-germanium-gallium, REE-thorium-yttrium-niobium systems, as well as other critical and conventional mineral resources.
Airborne magnetic and radiometric data will be collected in the Kuskokwim River and Seward Peninsula regions of Alaska.
The resulting high-quality geophysical data will provide the framework for enhancing future Alaska Division of Geological Geophysical Surveys and U.S. Geological Survey geological mapping and mineral-resource evaluations.
Geophysical data are routinely used in geoscience investigations to map the spatial distribution of an area's geologic features in 2D and 3D space, and to guide scientific studies, geologic mapping, mineral-resource evaluations, and exploration efforts.
Magnetic data are useful for distinguishing various magnetic units and for correlating geology through areas covered by vegetation and surficial deposits.
Radiometric data are useful for distinguishing igneous rock suites with varying uranium, thorium, and potassium contents, and differentiating igneous rocks with varying mineral-resource potential.
Deliverables from this project will include the raw and processed magnetic and radiometric geophysical data.
These data will be available to the public and will be published in a variety of digital data formats suitable to users of all levels, enhancing data uptake and usability.
The intended beneficiaries of this project include all parties with an interest in mineral resources and the bedrock geology of Alaska, including state and federal land managers, mineral exploration companies, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations, scientific researchers, and the interested public.
Anticipated subrecipients of this award will be airborne geophysical contractors, aviation service providers, and supporting businesses in the communities in which these surveys will be based out of.
Funding Goals
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY GOALS RESEARCH FOR NATURAL HAZARDS, ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES, ECOSYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AND WATER RESOURCES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Alaska
United States
Geographic Scope
State-Wide
Alaska Department Of Natural Resources was awarded
Alaska Geophysical Survey: Critical Mineral Resources Exploration
Cooperative Agreement G24AC00629
worth $3,650,000
from the USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants in December 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Alaska United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 15.073 Earth Mapping Resources Initiative.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Cooperative Agreement Opportunity for Geophysical Surveys in Alaska – Earth Mapping Resources Initiative- FY2024.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 9/16/24
Period of Performance
12/15/24
Start Date
12/14/27
End Date
Funding Split
$3.6M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.6M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
G24AC00629
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
None
Awardee Classifications
State Government
Awarding Office
140G01 OFC OF ACQUSITION GRANTS-NATIONAL
Funding Office
140G01 OFC OF ACQUSITION GRANTS-NATIONAL
Awardee UEI
YTVXYE4ND3Q8
Awardee CAGE
383N6
Performance District
AK-00
Senators
Lisa Murkowski
Dan Sullivan
Dan Sullivan
Modified: 9/16/24