Future Challenges for the U.S. Geological Survey's Mineral Resources Program (2003) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-16
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Over time, advances in minerals science and improvements in minerals information contribute to greater availability of minerals, at lower cost and with less environmental damage; help society respond to the depletion of known mineral deposits and contribute to the substitution of relatively abundant minerals for increas~ In this report, minerals are defined as all nonfuel mineral resources, including industrial minerals such as aggregates.
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The minerals information function, now executed through the Minerals Information Team, was incorporated into the new MRP. Six years following the 1996 NRC evaluation of the USGS's MRSP plan, the NRC was asked to examine the USGS's actions with respect to the 1996 recommendations and incorporation of the minerals information function and to consider future aspects of the MRP.
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Technical publications document the science performed by MRP researchers, make detailed research data and conclusions available to users, and represent the quality of work performed within the MRP. In meetings with MRP staff, the committee heard concerns about how costs for publishing USGS open file reports, professional papers, bulletins, and circulars the USGS's traditional modes of data dissemination are passed down to researchers.
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The committee proposes that the MRP follow the model used by the USGS's Energy Resources Program. In 1996 the clients and users of MRSP products included federal land management agencies, the mining and quarrying industries, environmental organizations, state geological surveys, state regulatory agencies, local governments, universities, other federal agencies (particularly the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corp of Engineers)
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The 1996 NRC committee determined that the plan was a logical and necessary continuation of the mineral resources objectives and programs at the USGS and praised the program for moving beyond its traditional role of activities, for advancing the understanding of mineral deposits, for providing the basic geological information for new areas with mineral potential, and for facilitating land-use planning by federal and state agencies. The 1995 program plan proposed strengthening activities for understanding the environmental consequences of minerals development and including these activities within the broader scope of mineral deposits research.
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The committee had to rely on MRP personnel to provide the following vision and mission statements: MRP Vision Statement MRP is the sole federal provider of high-quality scientific information, objective resource assessments, and unbiased research results on mineral potential, production, consumption, and environmental behavior. MRP Mission Statement · Provide information on regional, national, and global context for mineral resources Develop and enhance understanding of relations between minerals, mineralizing processes, and their contributions to our quality of life Transfer technologies beyond minerals sciences Support land management and the nation The vision statement does not read like a vision statement but rather like a statement of what's true.
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Research Balanced With Increased Collaboration With Users The second general recommendation states: "To fulfill its mission, the MRSP and its plan should move away from an organizational culture dominated by self-direction and independent research toward one that also embraces projects developed through collaboration with users" (NRC, 1996~. Currently, MRP projects are developed in collaboration with internal and/or external users, and most projects involve interdisciplinary teams (Kathleen Johnson, USGS, personal communication, 2002~.
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The MRP has continued research on the geology, geochemistry, and genesis and environmental characteristics of mineral deposits and has taken steps to ensure data integrity. However, the committee was unable to determine if the MRP continues to maintain its core competence in mineral deposits research and minerals-related environmental research because the MRP has not documented its continued core competence in these areas.
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The committee recommends that the MRP establish an external documented review procedure in accordance with the USGS guidelines that will evaluate program outcomes relative to those that were planned. The committee believes that the absence within the MRP of a well-def~ned and implementable programmatic vision is the cause of many of the deficiencies in the planning process and performance criteria.
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Specifically, the 1996 NRC committee recommended that the MRSP rigorously document the specific contributions and impacts of past resource assessments related to land management decisions. That committee strongly recommended that the MRSP publish a single document, written for the lay audience, which documents, explains, and discusses the usefulness of mineral resource assessments and their applications in land management.
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The membership of the advisory committee should be rotated so that it has an appropriate balance between new blood and historical memory at each meeting. The MIT is so active in collecting data that qualified mineral commodity specialists, country experts, and researchers in the minerals and materials analysis section are hindered in contributing to basic research and to advising other federal entities on public policy matters.
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Detailed interaction between team members and research scientists could improve data collection and data products for the material flows studies. Information provided by these studies could be incorporated into the global mineral resource assessments and could significantly enhance their value.
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The committee recommends that the MRP develop an expanded vision that embraces a broad definition of mineral resources, including a focus on life cycle and sustainable development, a strong international role, which will expand the current users, and a balance between basic and applied research, recognizing that many of the program priorities are oriented toward more applied research. An expanded vision will most likely require the USGS to reevaluate its core competence building new core competence in selected new disciplines.
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The MRP also provides information on land stewardship, material flows and other vital information to government policy makers for responsible management of public lands. The MRP also possesses a vast array of tools and technology (for example, modeling, data integration, sophisticated analytical capabilities, mineral exploration techniques, and partnering experience with other agencies and organizations)
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These plans should be easily understood by other federal agencies, Congress, and MRP staff. The committee urges the MRP to devote substantial efforts to recruiting and retaining staff for new program areas and to also look to interagency/university employee exchanges and an external grants program to gain the necessary expertise.
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