Earth Mapping Resources Initiative Protocols—Sampling Hard-Rock Mine Waste and Perpetual Mine Water Sources
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- Document: Report (1.76 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
- Appendix: Example Field Sheets (172 KB pdf) Example Earth MRI Mine Waste Characterization Field Sheets
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Supporting the overarching goal to evaluate critical minerals nationwide, the mine waste characterization effort in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative has created a series of protocols to standardize sampling carried out under this effort by the participating State geological surveys and their cooperators. The protocols are based on published, reviewed methods that can be deployed in the field. The protocols include (1) collecting and processing composite samples of mine and mill waste, including tailings, waste rock, gangue, heap leach piles, ore stockpiles, slag, or other mineralized and processed materials and (2) collecting and preserving water samples from perpetual or long-term mine water sources. The protocols also specify information to document on field sheets and detail the collection of geospatial data. The analytical methods used by the USGS and USGS contract laboratories are described in this report, including the data delivery pathway for USGS-derived data.
Suggested Citation
Campbell, K.M., Seal, R.R., Piatak, N.M., Azain, J.S., Morrison, J.M., White, S.J., Manning, A.H., Walton-Day, K., Holloway, J.M., and Wang, B., 2025, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative protocols—Sampling hard-rock mine waste and perpetual mine water sources: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5068, 22 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255068.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Purpose and Scope
- Protocols for Sampling Solids
- Protocols for Water Sample Collection, Preservation, Measurement of Field Parameters and Flow
- Field Sheet, Notes, and Observations
- Collecting Geospatial Data
- Sample Submission and Geochemical Analyses
- Summary
- References Cited
- Appendix 1. Example Field Sheets
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Earth Mapping Resources Initiative protocols—Sampling hard-rock mine waste and perpetual mine water sources |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2025-5068 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20255068 |
| Publication Date | September 22, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center |
| Description | Report: viii, 22 p.; Appendix |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |