Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology, map critical minerals over parts of Central and Eastern Nevada

Flights will occur over portions of the following counties: Eureka, Nye, and White Pine.

The flights will be based out of Ely Airfield (KELY). The flights could shift with little warning to other parts of the survey area as necessitated by adverse flying conditions.

The survey is part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative led by the USGS in partnership with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and other state geological surveys, industry and universities to modernize understanding of the Nation's fundamental geologic framework and mineral resources.

The purpose of the survey is to provide images that expand the fundamental knowledge of geology underpinning Nevada's Great Basin region. This survey area was chosen due to both known and suspected mineral occurrences. This includes Carlin-type deposits, porphyry deposits with copper, molybdenum and silver, intrusion related gold deposits, rare metal granites, and lacustrine evaporites, which contain critical minerals. The survey will help map rocks and minerals at the surface across vast regions that may have limited outcrop due to vegetation and unconsolidated rock cover. It will also help map subsurface geology, where some rocks can be located hundreds and thousands of feet below the surface based on their magnetic signature. Such mapping can improve the understanding of the geologic framework in which mineral resources may occur.

The new geophysical data will be processed to develop high-resolution three-dimensional representations of bedrock composition and structure to depths greater than half a mile more below the surface.

The 3D models and maps are important for improving understanding of critical mineral and geothermal resource potential, water resources, groundwater pathways near legacy mining areas, parameters for infrastructure and land use planning, and potential risks of naturally occurring radon.

The helicopter will fly along pre-planned fight paths relatively low to the ground at about 300 feet (100 meters) above the surface. The ground clearance will be increased to 1,000 feet over populated areas and will comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

The USGS is contracting with Woolpert Inc., who has subcontracted New Resolution Geophysics to collect data.

The survey will use a Eurocopter AS350 B3 equipped with an elongated "stinger" mounted to the underside of the cabin extending forward from the helicopter. Instruments in the stinger and inside the cabin will measure variations in the Earth's magnetic field and natural low-level gamma energy created by different rock types.

The scientific instruments on the helicopter are completely passive and do not emit any energy to aid in sensing, and so pose no risk to humans, animals, or plant life. No photography or video data will be collected. The data collected will be made freely available to the public once complete. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots who are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. The company works with the FAA to ensure flights are safe and in accordance with U.S. law. The surveys will be conducted during daylight hours only.

In addition to airborne geophysical surveys like this one, Earth MRI conducts geochemical reconnaissance surveys, topographic mapping using LiDAR technology, hyperspectral surveys, and geologic mapping projects.