Critical Minerals in Zinc Ore—An Update on Earth Mapping Resources Initiative Research in the Boulder Batholith Region, Montana

Fact Sheet 2026-3064
Mineral Resources Program
By: , and 

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Plain Language Summary

U.S. Geological Survey research is providing key critical mineral information that may have potential for critical mineral production of several mining districts in the Boulder Batholith region, to better understand the abundance and distribution of natural resources within this region. Continued research can be used to show the potential for previously undiscovered critical mineral resources in southwestern Montana and in other parts of the United States. 

Suggested Citation

Gaynor, S.P., Anderson, E.D., Eastman, K.A., Lund, K., Gammons, C., Lowers, H., and Thompson, J., 2026, Critical minerals in zinc ore—An update on Earth Mapping Resources Initiative research in the Boulder Batholith region, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2026–3064, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20263064.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Plain Language Summary
  • Introduction
  • Mineral Deposits of the Butte Mining District, Southwestern Montana
  • Zinc Ore and Critical Minerals
  • Estimating the Critical Minerals in Butte, Montana, Zinc Ore
  • Conclusions
  • References Cited
  • For More Information
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Critical minerals in zinc ore—An update on Earth Mapping Resources Initiative Research in the Boulder Batholith region, Montana
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2026-3064
DOI 10.3133/fs20263064
Publication Date March 04, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston VA
Contributing office(s) Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details