ARPA-E, USGS, and DARPA Request for Information: Advancing Subsurface Critical Mineral Exploration and Characterization

RFI – Three-Dimensional Characterization of the Subsurface by Advanced Modeling and Sensing Techniques

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input for a potential Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program focused on novel approaches and innovative methods that can accelerate the exploration and characterization of critical mineral deposits in the subsurface. More specifically, a potential program would focus on advanced modeling and sensing techniques for the exploration and 3-D characterization of critical mineral deposits in the subsurface.

The U.S. is seeking to reduce its dependence on imported critical minerals due to strategic and economic security concerns, and revolutionary improvements in mineral deposit exploration and characterization will be essential to securing supplies of domestic critical mineral resources. Current state-of-the-art methods to fully characterize the extent of prospective critical mineral deposits in the subsurface require significant effort, investment, and time, and may include considerable uncertainty. Improvements in the efficiency and accuracy of methods for subsurface characterization are crucial.

Two proposed focus areas for the potential program are:

1. Enhanced data acquisition using new sensors and techniques; and
2. Three-dimensional (3-D) analysis based on advanced analytical tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms.

It is expected that the synergistic combination of new sensors, techniques, and advanced analysis will enable the characterization of subsurface deposits faster and with higher accuracy than is currently possible. ARPA-E anticipates that these sensors, techniques, and algorithms will also be applicable to other problems in subsurface imaging. ARPA-E, USGS, and DARPA are working together to leverage capabilities on this important topic. ARPA-E is focused on critical minerals that are key to multiple energy technologies; USGS is the primary source of information on geologic energy and mineral resources (including critical minerals) and their supply chains; and DARPA is focused on breakthrough technologies which may rely on critical minerals for national security.

ARPA-E seeks information from universities, non-governmental organizations, small businesses, large businesses, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and government-owned/government-operated (GOGO) organizations regarding transformative and implementable technologies not currently deployed for accelerating the exploration and characterization of critical mineral deposits in the subsurface.

To view the RFI in its entirety please visit https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.