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Looking for mining industry resources?
This is a list of government agencies and other organizations that are the best sources of mining and geological information. Many of these institutions may offer educational resources, both for the individual or for classrooms. The information given is taken directly from their websites. This is not an exhaustive list, and in fact there are several state agencies in every state that might be able to provide more information more specific to your geological location, for instance the State Mine Inspector, a Department of Mines and/or Mineral Resources, and a State Geological Society. Since we are in Arizona, I have listed some Arizona information for reference-but you might want to research what’s available in your state.
Department of Interior
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
"Created by an act of Congress in 1879, the USGS provides science for a changing world, which reflects and responds to society’s continuously evolving needs. As the science arm of the Department of the Interior, the USGS brings an array of earth, water, biological, and mapping data and expertise to bear in support of decision-making on environmental, resource, and public safety issues.
The USGS is a primary Federal source of science-based information on ecosystems, land use, energy and mineral resources, natural hazards, water use and availability, and updated maps and images of the Earth’s features available to the public."
The American Geological Institute (AGI)
https://www.americangeosciences.org/
"AGI was founded in 1948, under a directive of the National Academy of Sciences, as a network of associations representing geoscientists with a diverse array of skills and knowledge of our planet. The Institute provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources, resilience to natural hazards, and the health of the environment."
National Mining Association (NMA)
"America’s mining industry supplies the essential materials necessary for nearly every sector of our economy – from technology and healthcare to energy, transportation, infrastructure and national security. The National Mining Association (NMA) is the only national trade organization that serves as the voice of the U.S. mining industry and the hundreds of thousands of American workers it employs before Congress, the federal agencies, the judiciary and the media, advocating for public policies that will help America fully and responsibly utilize its vast natural resources. We work to ensure America has secure and reliable supply chains, abundant and affordable energy, and the American-sourced materials necessary for U.S. manufacturing and economic security, all delivered under world-leading environmental, safety and labor standards."
American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA)
https://www.miningamerica.org/
"American Exploration & Mining Association is a 125-year-old, 1,800+ member, national association representing the minerals industry. AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure. AEMA’s broad membership represents a true cross-section of the American mining community from small miners and exploration geologists to junior and large mining companies. More than 80% of our members are small businesses or work for small businesses. AEMA members reside in 44 states, 7 Canadian provinces and 11 countries and are actively involved in prospecting, exploring, mining, and reclamation closure activities across North America & the world."
Geological Society of America (GSA)
"The Geological Society of America (GSA), founded in 1888, is a global scientific society with members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of geoscientists at all career levels, encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. GSA is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA."
Mineral Information Institute (MII)
https://www.miningfoundationsw.org/Mineral_Informa...
"The Mineral Information Institute (MII), headquartered in Golden, Colorado, is a national private, not-for-profit organization. MII’s mission is to provide public education with respect to the earth’s mineral and energy resources and the proper development and use of these resources. It develops and distributes earth science curricula and text material for use in grades Kindergarten through 12, with the aim of providing students with a non-biased, balanced view of the development and utilization of the earth's mineral and energy resources."
Northwest Mining Association (NWMA)
https://www.miningfoundationsw.org/Northwest_Minin...
"The Northwest Mining Association (NWMA) was founded in Spokane, Washington, in 1895 as a reaction to the encroachments of the railroad land grants upon the mineral lands in the Pacific Northwest. By 1909, the Association’s voice expanded to include participation in national mineral policy issues, providing information to its membership on practical mining matters, and supporting and promoting the minerals industry throughout the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, as well as the Canadian provinces and territories of Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Today the Association and its members are actively involved in exploration, mining operations, and reclamation/closure activities throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NWMA serves also as the state mining association for Oregon and Washington states. The Association’s purpose is to support and advance the mineral resource and related industries, to represent and inform its members on technical, legislative and regulatory issues, to provide for the dissemination of educational materials related to mining, to foster and promote economic opportunity and environmentally responsible mining, and to protect access to public lands for mineral exploration and development."
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/mineral-sci...
This is our national museum, but most states have Natural History or Earth Science Museums too.
"Scientists in the Department of Mineral Sciences seek to understand the evolution of the Earth and Solar System by studying samples from environments ranging from the mantle to mine drainages, from volcanic arcs to the asteroid belt. The department is home to world-class collections of rocks, minerals, meteorites, and gems, as well as the instruments our scientists use to study these specimens in detail."
Mining and Metallurgical Society of America (MMSA)
https://mmsa.net/about-us/who-we-are/
"The Mining and Metallurgical Society of America is a non-profit association of mineral resource professionals whose members represent all facets of mining and metallurgical interests, both domestic and internationally. MMSA is not a technical society or a lobbying organization. The Society concerns itself with fundamental principles and with the challenges facing the industry in such areas as legislation, economics and public education, as well as environmental and social concerns, the minerals supply chain and the need for competent minerals industry professionals."
Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME)
"The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) brings together the mining and mineral industry's brightest and most dedicated professionals. Over 13,000 global members advance their careers with the world-class technical resources, educational programs, networking opportunities and professional development tools from SME. Our members are focused on sharing best practices for safety, environmental stewardship and moving mining forward. SME. Inspiring mining professionals worldwide."
Arizona Mining Association (AMA)
"We are a diversified mining association that is the unified voice of responsible, sustainable and safe mining in Arizona. We support educational programs that demonstrate the importance and benefits of mining to the economy and the quality of life. Our members benefit from productive relationships and alliances with government, business associations and natural resource industry groups. Through our advocacy, we help Arizona be the premier location for mining investment in the US."
Arizona Geological Society
https://www.arizonageologicalsoc.org/
"The Arizona Geological Society, Inc. promotes and encourages interest in the science of geology and in the geology of the State of Arizona. To this end, the Society holds monthly meetings, sponsors field trips and symposia, and publishes field trip guides and digests at irregular intervals.
The Arizona Geological Society was founded in 1948 as a scientific society open to anyone with a professional interest in the geology of Arizona. Its diverse membership includes geoscientists from across the country and around the world. AGS members work in mining, petroleum, environmental and engineering geology, education, and government; they include geologists, geophysicists, hydrologists, consultants, and university professors, researchers and students."
"Since 1996 the Arizona Geological Society (AGS) has presented scholarships to outstanding students at the state's three major universities, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. "
Thanks for reading and happy hunting!