What Public Law governs electronic transactions between the Federal Government and the Public?

Although confusing to many people, the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) are not synonymous. While the PRA limits information the Federal government collects from the public in any form, the GPEA promotes electronic business with the public. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for issuing policies on implementation for both Acts. The GPEA (Public Law 105-277) took effect on October 21, 1998. Under the GPEA, persons required to submit information to the government, or maintain information, must be given the option to do so electronically, when practicable. This option includes implementing security appropriate for the information to be transmitted.

What is MIDS?

MIDS is the Minerals Information. It is a Web-based data collection system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to enable respondents to submit, view, modify, print, and locally store canvass forms data in accordance with the GPEA. For each reporting period, you will receive an e-mail reminder to submit your data..

Why should I use the MIDS Web-based system?

An electronic data collection system not only speeds the collection, aggregation, and analyses of minerals information but also helps us expedite our publications to recipients. MIDS offers you many benefits over the traditional paper system:

• it’s fast...you can save time
• it’s accurate...because there are verification steps along the way, you can check and review your information before it is sent
• it’s convenient...MIDS is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• it’s easy to use...it’s a step-by-step process that tells you what information you need to successfully complete your canvass form for any commodity
• it’s secure...MIDS offers the highest levels of security on the Internet

How do I become a MIDS user?

Follow this link to become a user of the e-forms system.

Please note that many forms canvassing less than 10 operations are not presently on MIDS.

There are certain canvasses on MIDS for which you will not be able to submit registration forms. For those canvasses, they will automatically be added to your drop-down list of canvasses, if you meet the requirements to be considered as a respondent for a given year. If you qualified, an email will be sent to you as a reminder to submit your data. These canvasses include:

• Production Estimate (USGS Form 9-4042-A [one commodity] and USGS Form 9-4124-A [two or more commodities])
• Mine, Development, and Mineral Exploration Supplement (USGS Form 9-4000-A)
• Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (USGS Form 9-4040-A)

Who should I contact with questions concerning user access/passwords, or the general operation and administration of the MIDS system?

You can contact the MIDS Administrators via email at vog.sgsu@abd_sdim or by using our feedback page. If you would like to speak with someone you can call the MIDS Administrators at 703-648-6437

Who should I contact regarding questions on how to complete a specific canvass form?

You can contact the MIDS Administrators via email at vog.sgsu@abd_sdim and your email will be routed to the appropriate person, or you can call NMIC Canvass Forms Hotline at 703-648-7960.

What browsers work best with the MIDS system?

To use the MIDS Web site, It is recommended to use the Edge browser.

How do I enable JavaScript?

Edge browser:

• Go to settings
• Select cookies and site permissions
• Select JavaScript to check to see if allowed (recommended) is turned on

For all other browser, check your browser’s help menu for instructions.

What is recommended if I encounter data submission issues?

We recommend that you click “save partial edit”. Then select that operation a 2nd time and do “modify” to go through the process of submitting the data. If that does not work, please email vog.sgsu@abd_sdim and ask to have the data status changed to “final” submit.