Arizona

Summary

Through STATEMAP, Earth MRI, and NGGDPP, the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) is producing high-value geologic maps and preserving core archives that directly support water resource management, land-use planning, critical mineral exploration, and industry investment.

STATEMAP

  • Big Sandy Valley (2020-2024):
    • Mapped 14 new 7.5-minute quadrangles in an area of ongoing land-use conflict between mineral exploration (copper, lithium, gold-silver), ranching, agriculture, and tribal interests in a sacred hot spring.
    • Integrated mapping with public well and seismic data to develop a new subsurface geologic model of the valley.
    • Provides decision-makers with data to balance competing needs for water, cultural resources, and economic development.

Earth MRI

  • Kaiser Spring Volcanic Field:
    • First Earth MRI project yielded collaborative research on the Basin (formerly Burro Creek) lithium clay deposit.
    • Results published in Economic Geology with Bradda Head Lithium.
  • Current Project:
    • Targeting critical minerals in Proterozoic rocks (REEs, lithium), identifying new exploration targets for future study.

NGGDPP (Data Preservation)

  • Drill Core Repository (reopened 2023 with BIL funding):
    • Core archive was inaccessible since 2016; reopened in late 2023 with inventory and curation completed in 2024–25.
    • Within weeks of reopening, a major mining company (Tucson) visited to view two historic drill holes from a southeastern Arizona prospect.
    • Surface geology showed alteration but little sulfide mineralization; core review revealed significant copper sulfide mineralization at depth
    • Result: Company was able to de-risk the project and proceed with exploration without blind drilling, saving time and millions in unnecessary costs.

Impact for Arizona:

  • Provides essential data for resolving land-use conflicts around water, cultural resources, and development in Big Sandy Valley.
  • Advances U.S. critical mineral knowledge through mapping of lithium and REE resources in both volcanic and Proterozoic settings.
  • Restored core repository access is already directly supporting industry, reducing exploration risk, and protecting past investments in geologic data.