The Workshop on Remote Sensing and Critical Mineral Discovery will bring together experts from industry, academia, and government to explore the use of hyperspectral and remote sensing data in domestic critical mineral discovery.

Participants will learn about hyperspectral data and its applications, as well as the available datasets for critical mineral identification. Sessions will explore perspectives on integrating spectral data with other vital geoscience resources, such as airborne geophysics, geologic mapping, and geochemical databases. The workshop will include hands-on training to access and use data from the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx) airborne campaign and Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission through NASA Earthdata Search and the JPL GEMx portal.

The primary goal is to foster strategic collaborations and to build a robust workforce skilled in applying remote sensing data to domestic critical mineral discovery. The workshop is designed for industry professionals and early-career geoscientists (including graduate students and postdoctoral researchers). Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to register soon to secure your spot.

The workshop will take place in Salt Lake City on September 29, 2026, the day before the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) national meeting. It will be conducted in coordination with NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the University of Utah. The event has been funded by NSF’s Geoscience Directorate and will be hosted at the University of Utah Critical Mineral Institute.

Please register and confirm your attendance to join us for this collaborative event.

For more information, see the Workshop on Remote Sensing and Critical Mineral Discovery website.