Summary
Massachusetts is leveraging new Earth MRI funding to address urgent infrastructure risks and advance U.S. critical minerals knowledge. Ongoing projects are mapping hazardous minerals that threaten homes and public works, while also investigating pegmatite-hosted lithium and cobalt deposits vital to national energy security.
Earth MRI
- Infrastructure Protection (Central Massachusetts):
- Airborne geophysical surveys are mapping the distribution of pyrrhotite, a reactive mineral that causes concrete foundations and bridges to crumble when incorporated into mixes.
- Identifying pyrrhotite-rich zones will prevent its use in construction materials.
- Impact: Saves the state billions in avoided future repair and replacement costs while protecting homeowners and municipalities.
- Critical Minerals – Lithium & Cobalt:
- Massachusetts contains pegmatites enriched in lithium and cobalt, essential for batteries and renewable energy technologies.
- Earth MRI funding is supporting investigations into how ancient mountain-building processes concentrated these resources.
- Results will inform exploration in Massachusetts and provide a geologic model applicable nationwide, guiding U.S. strategies for securing domestic critical minerals.
Impact for Massachusetts:
- Prevents costly infrastructure failures by mapping and avoiding pyrrhotite in construction supply chains.
- Positions Massachusetts as a leader in critical minerals research, particularly for lithium and cobalt.
- Contributes to national goals of energy independence and security through better geologic understanding.