Rio Tinto, USGS partner to survey for critical minerals in Southwest Montana
(Kitco News) - A new partnership between theU.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the science agency for the U.S. Department ofthe Interior, and Rio Tinto, a leading mining and metals company, was announcedtoday.
According to a statement, thispartnership will provide a clearer picture of the potential for criticalmineral resources beneath the Continental Divide near Montana's BoulderBatholith.
The USGS will fly airbornegeophysical surveys in areas of interest with support from Rio Tinto during2022 as part of its Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).
This is the first time theUSGS has partnered with a resources company for the Earth MRI program, allowingit to double the area being surveyed in Southwest Montana.
Rio Tinto ExplorationDirector Chris Welton said, "Our partnership with USGS will deliver highquality data on potential mineral resources through its cutting-edge Earth MRIprogram. By working together, we are sharing expertise, resources and knowledgeto make the search for critical minerals more efficient."
Recent studies by the USGSEarth Mapping Resources Initiative have identified the Boulder Batholith regionas having conditions that look favorable for hosting several critical mineralresources, such as rare earth elements, tellurium, tin, tungsten as well ascopper, molybdenum, and gold.
Data collected through thispartnership will be made publicly available through the Earth Mapping ResourcesInitiative website.
By Vladimir BasovFor Kitco News
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