20 Critical Minerals Potential in the Land of Enchantment: Past Production and Future Potential

Global demand for critical minerals is increasing. These non-fuel minerals are essential for clean energy and high-tech industries. New Mexico's future critical minerals potential is being re-evaluated through USGS Earth MRI surveys and DOE-funded efforts.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Alvarado B

Geochemistry of Critical Minerals in Mine Wastes, New Mexico

Paper number: 20-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:35 AM – 9:55 AM

Authors

Abstract

Critical minerals are nonfuel minerals, essential to the U.S. economy and national security, whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption. Mine wastes are potential sources of critical minerals. This study characterizes and estimates the critical minerals potential from various types of deposits mine wastes in New Mexico including arsenide five-element vein, porphyry copper, low sulfidation epithermal, and coal bearing units. These areas represent different deposit types and mine wastes sizes including small mine wastes. Using USGS sampling procedures, mine wastes and tailings were sampled for geochemistry, mineralogy, particle size distribution, and acid generation potential to evaluate their resource endowments. Arsenide five-element vein mine wastes samples show concentrations of Ag up to (405 ppm) which is above recommended exploration value (10 ppm) and endowment of 265 kg. Tailings from porphyry copper deposit show elevated Cu up to (22,100 ppm) relative to exploration values (1,400 ppm) with endowment of 468 tonnes Cu. While low sulfidation epithermal mine wastes show Zn up to (137,500 ppm) and Pb (53,000 ppm) above exploration values (Zn (15,000) and Pb (10,500)) with endowments of 41 tonnes Pb and 779 tonnes Zn, coal mine wastes concentrations are below or around average crustal abundances. Coal mine waste endowments are relatively smaller and show 1 ton Cu (Jornada del Muerto), 1.5 tonnes Pb, and 6.8 tonnes V (Gallup). NAG tests show that Black Hawk district waste materials are generally non–acid forming, whereas some samples from Hillsboro and Steeple Rock show elevated sulfur. Coal mine waste samples are uncertain. At this time, no further investigation into the critical minerals potential of coal mine wastes in New Mexico is recommended.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410620

© Copyright 2026 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.