October 17, 2025: The US Geological Survey (USGS) has started airborne surveys over portions of the Blue Mountains in California and adjacent areas to identify potential sites for the recovery of critical minerals essential to battery manufacturing and other industries.

USGS said on September 30 that low-level helicopter flights would begin early this month, including in northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, using airborne geophysical technology in partnership with other agencies.

The launch comes just weeks after the USGS called for lead to be added to the nation’s list of critical minerals, along with silicon and copper.

The helicopter surveys are expected to continue until snowfall hinders data quality and will then resume next spring and summer, USGS said.

Potential mineral commodities in the region include antimony, chromium, cobalt, gallium, nickel, tungsten, and zinc, all of which are on the list of critical minerals maintained by the USGS as essential for the US economy and national security.

Last May, the US and Saudi Arabia agreed plans to cooperate on an expansion of energy storage projects and critical minerals supplies.