Activities

There are two divisions in the Department namely Exploratory and Prospecting Division and Mineral Development and Mining Leases Division. A brief note on the functions and activities of the two divisions are given below:
Exploratory and Prospecting Division

The functions of the Exploratory and Prospecting Division include preliminary and detailed geological mapping, trenching, pitting, drilling, sampling  and chemical analysis and mineral identification of samples.  In addition to the exploration activities approved by the State Geological Programming Board, the Department also undertakes exploration activities of  urgent nature for which specific directions are issued by the State Government. The Department is equipped with an analytical laboratory as well as mineralogy and gem testing laboratory. Chemical analysis of samples and mineral and gem identification are undertaken on payment basis.

This division implements mineral exploration programmes approved by the State Geological Programming Board. Apart from the above, this division also takes up investigation programmes of urgent nature for the benefit of the mineral based industries in the State as per the directions of the Government from time to time.

The Department has 4 core drilling units viz. LongYear 34, Vol 90, RD 30 and RD 30 each having a capacity to drill hard rock / soft rock up to a depth of 400 to 500 m. The drilling rigs are extensively used for mineral investigation carried out by the Department. Drillings are also carried out on payment basis for private as well as other government organizations.

This department has two laboratories viz.,

i.    Analytical laboratory and
ii.   Mineralogy and Gem testing laboratory

Both the laboratories act as supporting units of the Exploratory and Prospecting division. Samples collected during the investigation are being analyzed in the laboratories. They include china clay, silica sand, graphite, bauxite, limestone, limeshell, stream sediments, rock samples etc. A number of precious stones brought by the public are being identified in the gem-testing laboratory, realizing the fee fixed by the Government. This laboratory also undertakes analysis and identification of rock samples brought by the public on payment basis.

Facility for photogeology, remote sensing and GIS studies	Rock cutting, polishing and thin section preparation facility
Gem Testing and Mineralogy Laboratory	Drilling unit for mineral investigation
Full fledged analytical laboratory with extended facility for checking of brightness of clay samples
Full fledged GIS laboratory with A0 Plotter and A0 Scanner