Virginia Energy - Geology and Mineral Resources

Non-fuel mineral resources have been mined in nearly every county of Virginia. The physical and chemical characteristics of these resources often reflect the type of rock in the geologic province from which they are extracted.

Ores containing iron, copper, lead, zinc and the precious metals gold and silver were mined in Virginia in the past, but most of these metallic deposits are small and of relatively low economic importance today.

Some resources mined in Virginia are considered “Critical Minerals” by the United States government, which are commodities that are important to national or economic security. Titanium is one such critical mineral currently as well as historically-mined in Virginia, and today plays an important role in the manufacturing of renewable energy technology. Other critical minerals used in domestic metallurgical applications that serve defense, electronics, and telecommunications technologies, such as tin, were historically-mined in Virginia but are no longer active. Learn more ».

Learn more about historic mining in Virginia »