§ 31l. Earth Mapping Resources Initiative

• (a) In this section, the term “critical mineral” has the meaning given the term in section 1606(a) of title 30 .
• (b) There is established within the United States Geological Survey an initiative, to be known as the “Earth Mapping Resources Initiative” (referred to in this section as the “Initiative”).
• (c) The purpose of the Initiative shall be to accelerate efforts to carry out the fundamental resources and mapping mission of the United States Geological Survey by—
  • (1) providing integrated topographic, geologic, geochemical, and geophysical mapping;
  • (2) accelerating the integration and consolidation of geospatial and resource data; and
  • (3) providing interpretation of subsurface and above-ground mineral resources data.
• (d)
  • (1) In carrying out the Initiative, the Director of the United States Geological Survey may enter into cooperative agreements with State geological surveys.
  • (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) precludes the Director of the United States Geological Survey from using existing contracting authorities in carrying out the Initiative.
• (e)
  • (1) Not later than 10 years after November 15, 2021 , the Initiative shall complete an initial comprehensive national modern surface and subsurface mapping and data integration effort.
  • (2) In carrying out paragraph (1) with regard to minerals, mineralization, and mineral deposits, the Initiative shall focus on the full range of minerals, using a whole ore body approach rather than a single commodity approach, to emphasize all of the recoverable critical minerals in a given surface or subsurface deposit.
  • (3) In carrying out paragraph (1) with regard to minerals, mineralization, and mineral deposits, the Initiative shall prioritize mapping and assessing critical minerals.
  • (4) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Initiative shall also—
    • (A) map and collect data for areas containing mine waste to increase understanding of above-ground critical mineral resources in previously disturbed areas; and
    • (B) provide for analysis of samples, including samples within the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program established under section 15908(b) of title 42 for the occurrence of critical minerals.
• (f) The Initiative shall make the geospatial data and metadata gathered by the Initiative under subsection (e)(1) electronically publicly accessible on an ongoing basis.
• (g) The Initiative shall integrate data sources, including data from—
  • (1) the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program established by section 31c(a)(1) of this title ;
  • (2) the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program established under section 15908(b) of title 42 ;
  • (3) the USMIN Mineral Deposit Database of the United States Geological Survey;
  • (4) the 3D Elevation Program established under section 3104(a) of this title ; and
  • (5) other relevant sources, including sources providing geothermal resources data.
• (h) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $320,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended.