This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior, through the US Geological Survey (USGS), to start a program using quantum-enhanced geophysical tools called quantum gravity gradiometry to survey and better map critical mineral and rare earth element deposits on or next to Federal lands. The law defines terms, requires the program to begin within 180 days of enactment, and sets minimum survey and reporting steps.
The surveys must cover at least 3 priority focus areas identified under the Earth MRI program, with priority for western rare earth zones. The USGS must compare quantum sensor data with existing classical geophysical data to measure improvements in detection resolution, depth penetration, and deposit characterization. All survey data is to be added to the Earth MRI national minerals database, made publicly accessible in a compatible format, and provided to mining and exploration companies. The Secretary must coordinate with the Department of Energy national laboratories, consult State Geological Surveys, and, when possible, use cooperative agreements with private quantum sensing firms.
The bill also requires a report to Congress within 24 months describing survey areas and methods, listing identified or characterized minerals and estimated deposit details, giving a quantitative comparison between quantum and classical results, assessing whether quantum methods can reduce speculative drilling, analyzing private-sector interest triggered by the released data, making recommendations for scaling the approach nationally, suggesting any legislative or regulatory changes to speed permitting, and providing a cost-benefit analysis.
No publicly available information on specific funding amounts or budget allocations is included in the bill text. The bill directs the Secretary to use cooperative agreements with private firms "to the maximum extent practicable" to leverage private investment and reduce Federal costs. The required 24-month report must include a cost-benefit analysis comparing Federal investment under the Act with estimated economic value of identified deposits.
According to the bill text, the effort is intended to improve USGS data for discovery and characterization of critical minerals and rare earth elements by using quantum gravity gradiometry. The bill frames goals to quantify detection improvements versus classical methods, integrate data into the Earth MRI database, encourage private investment by making data public, reduce speculative drilling through better data, and provide recommendations to scale capabilities and speed permitting.
No publicly available information about opponents' views is included in the bill text or provided metadata.