Mineral resources cut in USGS budget for FY14

President Obama's proposed budget for the next federal fiscal year cuts the USGS Mineral Resources program by a net $2.4 million, from $48.760 million to $46.357 million.


An analysis by SME says "that reduction includes a $1.2 million cut to the National Mineral Information Center and a $1 million cut to mineral resources, along with a general program reduction. Rare Earth Element research saw a budget increase of $1 million and high priority research on critical minerals increased $1.13 million. Also $3 million was dedicated to the study of environmental impacts of uranium mining."
  

Yet, the budget proposal calls for $78 million for NASA to pursue mining asteroids.