Mineral Resources and Society: A Review of the U.S. Geological Survey's Mineral Resource Surveys Program Plan (1996)

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EVALUATION OF THE MRSP PLAN AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 37 SUBPROGRAMS MRSP is the logical federal program under which to conduct such research on mineral deposits. This research addresses principally the characteristics and interpretation of mineral deposits. Such research is critical to the success of the mineral resource assessments and studies in support of remediation. USGS publications on mineral resources, including Professional Papers and Bulletins, have provided invaluable information for a multitude of users (e.g., BLM, USFS, industry, state agencies, and academia) for more than a century. Results from basic and applied research under the Resource Investigations Subprogram now provide essential scientific information for components and elements of other subprograms. Examples include Geoenvironmental Models of Mineral Deposits (Mitigation Studies Subprogram), Geochemical Backgrounds and Baselines (Mitigation Studies Subprogram), and Resource and Environmental Assessments (Assessments Subprogram). The panel finds that the Resource Investigation Subprogram is an appropriate and important activity, and that the proposed decrease in funding for this subprogram will adversely impact the MRSP and its customers. Evaluation of Components As noted under the Mitigation Studies Subprogram Evaluation, the panel recommends that two components from the Mitigation Studies Subprogram be moved into the Resource Investigations Subprogram. To reflect this change, the panel also suggests that the title of the Resource Investigations Subprogram be expanded to “Resource and Environmental Investigations” (Figure 2-1). Mineral-Resource Frontiers and Mineral-Deposit Studies Components Two components in the Resource Investigations Subprogram represent long-standing USGS contributions to the field of mineral deposits research: Mineral-Resource Frontiers and Mineral-Deposit Studies. The panel strongly endorses undiminished continuation of this basic research. In addition to research opportunities discussed in the MRSP Plan, several grand challenges that might warrant consideration