Quantum-Enhanced Critical Minerals Mapping Act of 2026

(a) In general. Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the quantum-enhanced geophysical survey program established under section 3.

(b) Contents. The report required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) a description of each survey area, the quantum gravity gradiometry instruments deployed, and the survey methodologies used;

(2) a summary of critical minerals and rare earth elements identified or characterized in each survey area, including estimated deposit locations, depths, and potential economic significance;

(3) a quantitative comparison of quantum gravity gradiometry results against classical geophysical survey results from the same areas, including metrics for detection resolution, subsurface depth penetration, and cost per unit area surveyed;

(4) an assessment of the potential for quantum gravity gradiometry to reduce speculative drilling requirements in domestic critical minerals exploration;

(5) an analysis of private sector interest in and investment resulting from publicly released survey data;

(6) recommendations for scaling quantum-enhanced geophysical survey capabilities across the Earth MRI program nationally;

(7) any legislative or regulatory changes the Secretary recommends to accelerate domestic critical mineral permitting in areas identified by the surveys; and

(8) a cost-benefit analysis comparing the Federal investment under this Act with the estimated economic value of critical mineral deposits identified.