Mineral Resources and Society A Review of the U.S. Geological Survey's Mineral Resource Surveys Program Plan (1996) / Chapter Skim
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Framework for the Study
Framework for the Study
Pages 5-22
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Today, there is an expanding awareness of the potential environmental consequences of unmitigated mineral exploration and development. To meet the widening scope of mineral resource issues, geoscience studies have become increasingly complex and interdisciplinary.
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The Plan represents a significant departure from the past, and implementation of the Plan is resulting in significant changes in the direction of USGS mineral resource activities. The MRSP Plan suffers from the fact that it was formulated and evaluated during a period of major transition within the USGS.
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estimated FIGURE 1-1 Staffing levels in the USGS's Geologic Division and MRSP. Since 1994, the Geologic Division staff has dropped by about 27 percent and the MRSP staff has fallen by 49 percent.
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Evaluate the Plan of the Mineral Resource Surveys Program in terms of the nation's long-term needs for minerals research and information, the completeness and balance of the program, and the scientific significance, credibility, and relevance of the overall program.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE MRSP PLAN The MRSP Plan contains a set of activities designed "to describe the occurrence, quality, and quantity of mineral resources, to understand the fundamental processes that create and modify them, and to develop predictive models that provide understanding of the nation's mineral-resource endowment and the potential environmental consequences of its development" (MRSP Plan, p.
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The common denominator in the missions of the major national geological surveys is the provision of geoscience information neecled by nations to aid in managing resources, ensuring environmental quality, contributing to economic development, and promoting the safety and security of their citizens. Most national geological surveys are undergoing major changes in response to pressures to reduce costs and make their programs more -relevant to societal needs (Appendix D)
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. YR1YR2YR3YR4YR5 Assessments Subprogram Resource and Environmental Assessments20.6120.1619.7119.2619.26 Assessment Protocols end Methods0.900.900.900.900.90 Total21.5121.0620.6120.1620.16 Mitigation Studies Subprogram Geochemical Backgrounds and Baselines2.242.693.144.034.03 Studies in Support of Remediation2.692.692.693.143.14 Environmental Behavior of Mineral Deposits4.034.484.934.934.93 Total8.96 9.8610.76 12.10 12.10 Resource Investigations Subprogram Mineral-Resource Frontiers 3.58 3.36 2.91 2.24 2.24 Minderal-Deposit Studies 3.14 2.91 2.69 2.24 2.24 Cooperative Industry and 0.45 0.45 0.67 0.90 0.90 International Investigations Total 7.17 6.72 6.27 5.38 5.38 Information and Technology Transfer Subprogram Data Bases and Information Analysis 4.93 4.93 4.93 4.48 4.48 Information and Technology Transfer 2.24 2.24 2.24 2.69 2.69 Total 7.17 7.17 7.17 7.17 7.17 Mineral Resource Surveys Program Total 44.81 44.81 44.81 44.81 44.81 SOURCE: MRSP Plan, Appendix B
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Mitigation Studies Subprogram; (c) Resource Investigations Subprogram; and (a)
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.... : ~ ~ ~ :: Issue: | Information Needs | Information and Subprogram: Technology Transfer _ 1 Data Bases and Information and Components: I nformation A nalysis Tec hnology Transfer Data Base Developmen _ M inerals Information Elements: and Management Offices (MlO's)
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A starting point for considering national needs for mineral resource research and information is the recognition that the United States is an important producer and consumer of minerals (Sidebar ~.1~. As a consequence, the country faces important decisions involving the supply of raw materials, land use, and environmental protection.
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Framework for the Study 15
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APPROPRIATE FEDERAL FUNCTIONS IN MEETING NATIONAL MINERAL NEEDS Responding to its charge, the panel first identified three specific functions of a minerals program it considers appropriate for the MRSP. The first is to supply unbiased information related to mineral resources.
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FIGURE i-3 U.S. net import reliance for selected mineral commodities (data from U.S.
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World Gold Production -1 994 Undo= 1^ 1 AH Other Bounds (c) WoddExplor~ion-lOg4 Un#ed Sages = 16~ Ail Other coughs FIGURE 1-4 u s.
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, which estimated that the 154 companies represented by these data account for approximately 75 percent of worldwide exploration.
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Many nations have found that public investments in research on mineral resources is best accomplished through a combination of efforts conducted by universities and by government agencies that have national jurisdiction, long-term continuity, large and multidisciplinary teams of scientists, and highly specialized facilities. Many state geological surveys conduct basic research on mineral resources which complements the work of USGS.
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22 Mineral Resources and Society existence of such functions in geological surveys worldwide, however, suggests that these functions are widely considered to be appropriate for national governments. The balance among these functions will depend on user requirements and will vary over time (Appenclix D)
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