Requires new high-tech surveys to find critical minerals on federal lands.
This bill would require the government to use advanced quantum technology to map federal lands for critical minerals and rare earth elements. This new program would provide better data to mining companies, helping them find and develop these important resources in the U.S. This could lead to a more stable supply of minerals essential for many modern technologies.
Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maps critical mineral resources using existing methods through its Earth MRI program, but there is no specific program for quantum-enhanced surveys. If this bill becomes law, the Secretary of the Interior would establish a new program within 180 days to conduct original quantum-enhanced geophysical surveys. This would provide more detailed and accurate data for finding critical minerals and rare earth elements on federal lands, which would then be made publicly available to mining companies.
HR 9646 · 119th Congress · July 13, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10
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