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Indiana Geological and Water Survey
Indiana University
Research

Mineral Studies

The IGWS conducts research and disseminates information related to the state's mineral resources. We investigate industrial minerals critical to national infrastructure and technology, including noncoal sources for aggregate and construction, and characterize sources of critical minerals and rare earth elements of high national demand.

The IGWS conducts research and disseminates information related to the state's mineral resources. We investigate industrial minerals critical to national infrastructure and technology, including noncoal sources for aggregate and construction, and characterize sources of critical minerals and rare earth elements of high national demand.

Mineral Resources Overview   Borehole Data   Geologic Database Management System (GDMS)   Indiana Geologic Names Information System (IGNIS)   Industrial Mineral Producers Directory   Indiana's Opportunity in REE and Critical Minerals

Recent publications

2025 Indiana's Opportunity in Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals

2025 Characterization of Coal Tailings from Indiana—Implications for Their Potential Utilization as Sources of Critical Elements and Carbon

2023 Gallium and Germanium in Pennsylvanian Coals, Shales, and Paleosols in Indiana

2022 Characterization of Pennsylvanian Paleosols in Indiana with a Special Reference to Rare Earths (REE) and Lithium

2022 Coal and Coal Byproducts as Potential Sources of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Indiana

2022 Organic-matter-rich Pennsylvanian Black Shales as a Source of Critical Minerals

2020 Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium in Pennsylvanian Coals and Shales in the Eastern Part of the Illinois Basin