Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry, Volume 3: Rock Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration focuses on the application of rock geochemistry in mineral exploration, including deposits of plutonic association, volcanic and sedimentary association, and sequence of geochemical exploration. The publication first elaborates on geochemistry in the exploration sequence, crustal abundance, geochemical behavior of elements, and problems of sampling and recognition of geochemical anomalies. Discussions focus on population partition, spatial distribution of data, abundance of elements, classification and geochemical behavior of elements, principles underlying geochemical exploration, sequence of geochemical exploration, and main types of geochemical surveys. The text then takes a look at regional scale exploration for deposits of plutonic association; regional scale exploration for vein and replacement deposits; and regional scale exploration for stratiform deposits of volcanic and sedimentary association. The book ponders on the synthesis of geochemical responses and operational conclusions, local and mine scale exploration for stratiform deposits of volcanic and sedimentary association in Cyprus, Turkey, and Oceania, New Brunswick deposits, and Precambrian, Proterozoic, and Kuroko deposits. The text is a valuable reference for researchers interested in the application of rock geochemistry in mineral exploration.
As the importance and dependence of specific mineral commodities increase, so does concern about their supply. The United States is currently 100 percent reliant on foreign sources for 20 mineral commodities and imports the majority of its supply of more than 50 mineral commodities. Mineral commodities that have important uses and face potential supply disruption are critical to American economic and national security. However, a mineral commodity's importance and the nature of its supply chain can change with time; a mineral commodity that may not have been considered critical 25 years ago may be critical today, and one considered critical today may not be so in the future. The U.S. Geological Survey has produced this volume to describe a select group of mineral commodities currently critical to our economy and security. For each mineral commodity covered, the authors provide a comprehensive look at (1) the commodity's use; (2) the geology and global distribution of the mineral deposit types that account for the present and possible future supply of the commodity; (3) the current status of production, reserves, and resources in the United States and globally; and (4) environmental considerations related to the commodity's production from different types of mineral deposits. The volume describes U.S. critical mineral resources in a global context, for no country can be self-sufficient for all its mineral commodity needs, and the United States will always rely on global mineral commodity supply chains. This volume provides the scientific understanding of critical mineral resources required for informed decisionmaking by those responsible for ensuring that the United States has a secure and sustainable supply of mineral commodities.