March 3 -- The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) invites comments by May 2, 2023 regarding Industrial Minerals Surveys.
Respondents to these forms supply the USGS with domestic production- and consumption data for industrial mineral commodities, some of which are considered strategic and critical, to assist in determining National Defense Stockpile goals. These data and derived information will be published as chapters in Mineral Yearbooks, monthly Mineral Industry Surveys, annual Mineral Commodity Summaries, and special publications for use by Government agencies, Congressional offices, educational institutions, research organizations, financial institutions, consulting firms, industry, academia, and the general public.
The USGS Mineral Resources Program proposes to add a new `Rare Gases Sold or Used' annual canvass to this ICR and estimates an additional 20 respondents with an average estimated burden time per form of 30 minutes. Based on technology advances, rare gases have become an important component of the U.S. supply chain with few suppliers or functional substitutes, a high risk of supply-chain disruption, and fluctuation-sensitive markets.
Industrial Minerals Surveys:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/mineral-industry-surveys
Current survey forms:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAICList?ref_nbr=202103-1028-001
Current technical documentation:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=202103-1028-001
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-04406
