WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management on Nov. 4 announced a new interactive Critical Minerals Screening Tool intended to help industry and state partners identify known critical minerals resources and speed their development on public lands.
“As our nation moves away from buying critical minerals and rare earth elements from foreign sources, the BLM has developed this interactive screening tool to highlight potential areas of domestic development of these vital resources,” BLM Director Steve Pearce said in the release. “Sourcing these materials from our public lands ensures a steady domestic supply that America uses for its national security, economic stability, and technological competitiveness.”
The tool displays the locations of critical minerals concentrations, including rare earth elements, alongside key mining and other infrastructure. Users can click layers to show mining claims, land withdrawals, rights-of-way, transmission lines and power production facilities.
Another layer shows mineral processing facilities, such as refineries and smelters. It draws on the Global Mining Dataset developed by the International Council on Mining and Metals, which provides standardized information on where mining and metals facilities are located and what they produce.
According to the release, the mapping uses GIS data from the U.S. Geological Survey on occurrences and deposits of critical minerals and rare earth elements. Sixteen of the 17 rare earth elements are also designated critical minerals. The USGS also is the source of the 2025 Critical Minerals List, which helps the BLM and other agencies prioritize permitting, mapping and investment support for projects involving critical minerals, including copper, uranium and phosphate.
The BLM said the tool does not replace coordination with local BLM offices. Project proponents are encouraged to engage early with bureau staff on site-specific resource issues, tribal considerations and permitting needs.
The bureau said the tool also helps it work with industry and state partners to elevate these minerals into strategic assets. The BLM, through the Department of the Interior, has been working with the mineral industry and state partners to ensure that the minerals powering the nation’s energy, defense and technology supply chains are mined and processed in the United States.
The agency noted that the screening tool supports Executive Order 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, and Secretary’s Order 3436, Unlocking Critical and Strategic Minerals from Mine Waste, Cutting Red Tape, and Restoring American Dominance in Strategic Mineral Production.
Source: Bureau of Land Management news release dated Nov. 4, 2026