28 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Critical Mineral Resources Discovered in Northern Maine Adapted from Information by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) A team of state and federal scientists have discovered an area in northern Maine high in critical mineral resources, highlighting for the first time the importance of this region to the U.S. mineral resource economy. The elements were found in rocks in the vicinity of Pennington Mountain, a remote peak in central Aroostook County, about 40 miles northwest of Presque Isle, Maine. Analyses of these samples show they chemically match similar rocks in eastern Australia and central China known to be enriched in rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium. Rare earth elements are important components in electronics like smartphones, as well as renewable energy applications for wind energy and battery components. Niobium, meanwhile, is an essential element in steelmaking, and in superalloys used for things like jet engines. Zirconium is primarily used in ceramics, as well as some superalloys. This research was conducted as part of the USGS’s Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (MRI) project, a partnership between the USGS and state geological surveys to modernize our understanding of the nation’s fundamental geologic framework and mineral resources through new geologic maps, geophysical and topographic surveys, and geochemical sampling. Earth MRI aims to identify areas with potential for undiscovered critical mineral deposits which could reduce U.S. mineral import dependence, thereby strengthening national security, creating jobs within the private sector, and generating economic and social benefits. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has accelerated this new mapping in areas with potential for hosting critical mineral resources both still in the ground and occurring in mine waste. Funding was also provided by the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program through its STATEMAP project. While analyzing the survey data, USGS research geophysicist Anji Shah found an anomaly: a geological feature which looked similar to others containing rare earth elements and other critical mineral resources. “This is really exciting scientifically,” said Shah. “As we were examining the data, all of a sudden, this feature caught my eye. I knew immediately we had something special here.” The geologic feature was revealed by surveys flown by aircraft in 2021. The flights collected geophysical data such as variations in earth’s magnetic field and natural low-level radiation. These variations are created by different rock types beneath the trees and up to several miles beneath the surface. Because each rock type has its own signature, like a fingerprint, the data can give a better idea of what lies beneath the ground surface. Mapping and other geological work is continuing in the Pennington Mountain area. Future research aims to identify the depth of the geologic deposit, as well as how it formed, and which specific minerals contain the rare earth elements identified to date. Similar deposits may exist in other areas of northern Maine, and scientists hope to apply the lessons learned in Maine elsewhere in the country and in the world. A fine-grained volcanic rock (trachyte) that hosts rare earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, all which are considered critical mineral resources. This rock was found on Pennington Mountain in Maine. MIN Time for a Little Fun! September Puzzle Solution: Win a prize! Send completed puzzle to: WWDR PO Box 660 Bonifay, FL 32425 fax: 850-547-0329 or e-mail: michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Write the answer to clue 1. in its block space. To answer clue 2., drop one letter, put it into column A, and rearrange the remaining letters. To answer clue 3., drop another letter and put it into column B and rearrange. Do this for each row. The letters in columns A and B will spell out a word related to this month’s focus. CLUES 1. ____ cider 2. jump over 3. beer 4. set precisely 5. applaud 6. head covering 7. household rodent 8. wonder / thoughtful 9. calculated total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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