MRDS

The Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) is a database maintained by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that contains information on mineral deposits, occurrences, and commodities worldwide, with emphasis on the United States.

Database contents: - Location (coordinates and PLSS description) - Commodity or commodities present - Deposit type and model - Development status (prospect, producer, past producer) - Geology and host rocks - Ore minerals and gangue - Production history (where available) - References and data sources

MRDS record counts: The database contains information on over 300,000 mineral sites worldwide, with the most comprehensive coverage in the United States.

Data access: - Available through the USGS Mineral Resources Online Spatial Data portal - Downloadable as spatial data (shapefiles, geodatabase) - Searchable by commodity, location, deposit type, and other criteria - Free public access

Applications: - Regional mineral prospectivity analysis - Identifying known deposits near areas of interest - Understanding mineral deposit patterns and trends - Supporting claims research and exploration targeting - Academic and government research

Limitations: - Data completeness and currency vary by region - Some records contain limited information - Coordinates may have variable accuracy - Not all known deposits are included

MRDS is a valuable resource for anyone researching mineral deposits in the United States and is commonly used alongside mining claims data for comprehensive mineral assessment.