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ST. GEORGE — Have you seen low-level helicopters flying above Washington County lately? Its stinger-like front has some members of the community asking questions.
Jamey Jones, who serves as the associate science center director for the U.S. Geological Survey, told St. George News the helicopters are part of a national program called the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative.
"The goal of Earth MRI, as we call it, is to basically map the nation, especially in places where there is potential for mineral resources, particularly critical mineral sources, as presently defined," Jones said.
The Earth MRI project started in the U.S. in 2019. And after the center received a significant investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the project's data collection abilities were accelerated.
Jones said they started collecting data from southern Utah last year and the data collection is ongoing. He said he predicts the project will be completed in the region within the next few months, and a published report will be available later this year.
