Summary
Through STATEMAP, Earth MRI, and NGGDPP, Virginia is preserving historic mineral records, producing new geologic maps that directly support land-use planning, and characterizing critical mineral resources with immediate economic applications.
STATEMAP
- Digital Karst Map – I-81 Corridor (Western Virginia):
- Multi-phase STATEMAP project; final phase underway.
- Early phases already available via an online map viewer.
- Map is specifically tailored for land-use planners, with simplified geology plus karst-specific layers (sinkholes, boring logs, bedrock geochemistry).
- Directly supports safe development and hazard mitigation in a region heavily affected by karst terrain.
EARTH MRI
- Heavy Mineral Sands – Fall Zone:
- Characterized the distribution of heavy mineral sands along the Fall Zone of Virginia.
- Provided consistent, regional-scale mapping in priority areas.
- Data supports exploration of feedstock for an existing heavy mineral processing facility, linking directly to ongoing industry needs.
NGGDPP (Data Preservation)
- Austinville Pb–Zn Mine Records:
- Rescued thousands of maps, reports, and analyses from the historic mine (operated 1756–1981.
- Collection also included records of exploration in other areas.
- Provides a cost savings for future critical mineral exploration, ensuring irreplaceable data is preserved and accessible.
Impact for Virginia:
- Preserves historic mineral records that prevent costly re-exploration.
- Provides planners and local governments along I-81 with tools to address karst-related hazards and infrastructure risks.
- Supports domestic supply chains by expanding knowledge of heavy mineral sands and strengthening ties to Virginia’s processing industry.