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Subcommittee hears pitch to test quantum sensing under Earth MRI to find critical minerals
Summary
Representative Jeff Hurd’s bill (HR 9646) would direct USGS to test quantum gravity sensing in Earth MRI; industry and academic witnesses said quantum surveys could increase subsurface resolution and reduce exploratory disturbance.
Representative Jeff Hurd opened for the bill's sponsor remarks, framing HR 9646 as a way to integrate emerging quantum sensing into the existing Earth MRI platform and to make resulting maps public.
"If new quantum sensing technologies can produce more accurate maps while reducing unnecessary drilling and lowering exploration risk, why wouldn't we incorporate those tools into the program?" Representative Hurd asked in his prepared remarks.
Matt Kinsella, CEO of Inflection, described quantum gravity gradiometry and urged Congress to authorize side‑by‑side testing with classical methods. Kinsella said, "You cannot find or secure what you cannot see," and argued quantum sensors could detect density contrasts that point to subsurface mineral deposits without invasive drilling. He described potential nonmining uses as well, including aquifer mapping and geological hazard assessment.
Witnesses agreed the bill is designed to produce public datasets rather than subsidize a single company: surveys would be integrated into Earth MRI’s data platforms for state, tribal and public use. Members asked technical and governance questions, including how to evaluate performance, preserve public access to data, and ensure appropriate tribal consultation and environmental safeguards during any field deployments.
Committee members signaled interest in the potential conservation benefits of more precise mapping (fewer exploratory boreholes and smaller disturbance footprints) but asked for rigorous side‑by‑side evaluation as required by the bill.
