Quantum-Enhanced Critical Minerals Mapping Act of 2026

In this Act:

(1) Critical mineral. The term critical mineral has the meaning given to that term in section 7002(a) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606(a)).

(2) Earth MRI. The term Earth MRI means the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative of the United States Geological Survey.

(3) Quantum gravity gradiometry. The term quantum gravity gradiometry means the use of quantum mechanical systems, including cold-atom interferometry, to measure spatial gradients of gravitational fields for the purpose of detecting subsurface density variations.

(4) Rare earth element. The term rare earth element means any of the 17 metallic elements consisting of the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium, which are a special subset of critical minerals.

(5) Secretary. The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey.