Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2025
ID: 358654Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Geological Survey (DOI-USGS1)

Award Range

$3K - $356K

Eligible Applicants

State Governments

Funding Category

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Original Source

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/358654
Timeline
    Description

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is inviting proposals for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements for fiscal year 2025, aimed at supporting state geological surveys in mine waste activities. The initiative seeks to fund projects focused on the inventory and characterization of mine waste, including data compilation, sampling, and mapping efforts, with an emphasis on critical minerals essential for national economic security. Approximately $5 million is available for allocation through a competitive proposal process, with individual awards ranging from $3,000 to $356,000, and all funds must be obligated by September 30, 2025. Interested applicants, primarily state geological surveys, must submit proposals by May 9, 2025, and can direct inquiries to Margaret Eastman at mrussell@usgs.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    mrussell@usgs.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Attachment_Figures1and2.pdf
    The document outlines the structure of a mine waste database, detailing the relationships between various mine site features. It emphasizes that while a site may contain multiple elements, only specific mine waste features—such as mine dumps, ore stockpiles, and tailings—are recorded in the database. Each feature will have distinct point and polygon records, supplemented by entries in reference and resource tables. The document notes that if geological aspects are similar across an open pit and underground workings, only a singular geology record is needed for all mentioned waste features, thus streamlining data entry. This is important for managing and documenting mine waste effectively for regulatory compliance and environmental monitoring, aligning with federal and local grant requirements for accurate reporting on mine site impacts.
    Attachment.pdf
    The document provides guidance on the use of federal funds for purchasing drones, emphasizing that federal funds cannot be allocated for covered uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). It defines "covered UAS" as those manufactured or using components from entities in adversary countries, particularly China, as specified in Executive Order 13981. The criteria include the origin of the manufacturer, critical electronic components, software, network connectivity, and hardware used for data transmission. Consequently, only non-covered UAS may be procured with federal funds. Entities requiring drones for their projects must survey the market and submit quotes for compliant UAS, which will then be evaluated by the Program Office for potential funding. This guidance underscores the government's commitment to ensuring national security by restricting funding to UAS that meet specific safety and production standards.
    AttachmentB_budget_sheets.pdf
    The document outlines budget estimates for the Mineral Resources Program's Earth MRI, focusing on mine waste proposals across various priorities. It includes detailed budget sections stipulating federal funding requests, optional matching funds, and cost categories such as salaries, fringe benefits, field expenses, miscellaneous supplies, contractors, and travel expenses. Each priority section requires specific budget justifications, highlighting the necessity for clear financial planning for project execution. The overarching purpose is to solicit adequate federal funding and support for research initiatives related to mineral resources. Each section is formatted for easy comparison across different budget priorities, ensuring that stakeholders can assess fiscal requirements effectively. This structure not only aids in securing grants but also upholds compliance with governmental budgetary protocols, reflecting the intent to rigorously manage resources towards environmental and mineral resource studies.
    AttachmentD_Terms&Conditions_FY25.pdf
    The 2025 Mineral Resources Program Earth MRI Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements outlines the terms and conditions for federal financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI). Recipients of the award are mandated to adhere to specific administrative requirements, including establishing accounts for payment through the Treasury's ASAP system and complying with detailed reporting obligations. Key personnel are designated for contract management, technical advice, and reporting, ensuring oversight of grant usage. Mandatory reports include a national mine waste inventory, mine waste characterization, progress reports, and a final technical report summarizing project outcomes. The document emphasizes the recipients' responsibilities regarding financial handling, acknowledgment of federal support in publications, and adherence to patent rights concerning inventions. Additionally, provisions for geospatial data management and "Buy America" preferences dictate procurement requirements for infrastructure projects, mandating domestic production of materials. The agreement also includes general provisions on research integrity, data availability, conflicts of interest, and program income, outlining the legal framework for recipients to follow. The document serves the purpose of ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and alignment with federal objectives in managing federal resources and supporting sustainable practices in mining waste management.
    AttachmentH_USGS_EMRI_Protocols_01.22.2025.pdf
    The document provides protocols for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) aimed at standardizing the sampling of solid hard-rock mine waste and perpetual mine water sources. The initiative focuses on critical minerals essential for national economic security, emphasizing the need to characterize mine waste to estimate its potential mineral resources and environmental conditions. The protocols detail methods for collecting and processing various types of mine waste materials and water samples, including safety considerations, sampling approaches, and required equipment. It underscores the importance of thorough documentation and quality control measures, such as duplicate samples and blanks, to ensure data integrity. The protocols aim to facilitate collaborative efforts among state geological surveys and stakeholders to build a comprehensive national database on mine waste locations, volumes, and mineral compositions. Overall, this initiative seeks to enhance resource evaluation while addressing environmental management and remediation challenges.
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