Conservationists say retrieving mineral-rich rocks will destroy sea life. Environmental studies show conflicting results.

A weathered sign in the Minnesota River Valley proudly proclaims: “World’s Oldest Rock.” Erected in 1975, it marks a 3.8-billion-year-old gneiss — or so scientists thought.

Lightweight lithium metal is a heavy-hitting critical mineral, serving as the key ingredient in the rechargeable batteries that power phones, laptops, electric vehicles and more. As ubiquitous as ...

It’s one of the most profound questions in science – did life ever ... dioxide and water should have reacted with rocks to create carbonate minerals. However, rover missions and analysis ...