Glossary
Glossary term

mineral occurrences

A CRMA geology term for minerals occurring in a mass or deposit of potential economic interest.

1 official sourceSingle-source term

What does mineral occurrences mean?

Mineral occurrences are the possible material deposits that exploration may identify and assess. The CRMA definition depends on potential economic interest, but a mineral occurrence is not yet the same as reserves, production capacity, a permitted project, or a verified supply source.

Source context

This page is anchored in CRMA Article 2, point 6. It belongs to the geological and exploration layer of the CRMA, before the separate questions of economic viability, permitting, strategic-project status, and supply-chain evidence.

Official definitions by source

EU Critical Raw Materials Act

Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials

any single mineral or combination of minerals occurring in a mass or deposit of potential economic interest

CRMA Article 2 source-specific definition layer.

Reference: Article 2, point 6

View official source

Practical application

Use mineral occurrences when recording or comparing early-stage material locations, deposits, or geological evidence that may later feed exploration, predictive mapping, reserve assessment, or project evaluation.

Minespider commentary

For traceability and passport work, mineral occurrences are useful as an upstream context layer, not as proof of material origin in a specific product. Minespider keeps them separate from reserves and supplier evidence so early geological potential is not overstated.

Common confusions

  • A mineral occurrence is not yet the same as reserves; reserves require economic viability to extract in a particular market context.
  • A mineral occurrence is not proof that material has entered a supply chain.
  • A predictive map may indicate likely occurrences, but it does not certify that a deposit exists or can be extracted.