Directorate of Geology and Mining,
Govt. of Maharashtra, Nagpur.

• Geology of Maharashtra
• Mineral Resources of Maharashtra
• Resources of Important Minerals
• Mineral Policy
• Mineral Development Fund
• Ongoing Exploration Programme
• Regulation of Minerals

ABOUT STATE : The State of Maharashtra lies between the latitudes 15⁰36’20” to 22⁰1’40” and longitudes 72⁰40’30’ to 80⁰ 56’30” covering an area of 3,07,713 sq.km. The State is bounded in the north and north east by Gujrath, Madhyapradesh, and Chattisgarh States. On the east by Madhyapradesh, Chattisgarh, to the south and south east by Karnataka and Andhrapradesh and on the west by the Arabian sea. Geologically, it forms a part of the “Peninsular shield” of India. Physiographically the major part of Maharashtra comprises an ancient plateau exposed for long ages to denudation and approaching peneplanation. The important hill ranges are western ghats or Sahyadri hills, Melghat range which is a branch of Satpura hill ranges and Satpura hill ranges. The important rivers are Godavari, Krishna, Bhima, Tapi, Purna Wainganga & Narmada. The State has been divided into five regions and six division convering total 35 districts.

Names of regions, divisions with their encompassing districts are :-

DIVISIONS

FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTORATE

The twin functions of the Directorate of Geology and Mining are Mineral Exploration and Mineral Administration. The activity of Directorate is basically of a technical nature. The functions of Directorate are controlled, planned and co-ordinated at the head office with the assistance of technical and non technical officers and staff.

MINERAL EXPLORATION

It is the prime function of the Directorate. In order to locate the occurrence of minerals in various parts of State, geological surveys are carried out initially. This is followed by pitting/trenching and drilling with a view to assess the mineral resources of the area. The information so generated by the Directorate is useful for setting up of mineral based industries and for proper exploitation of mineral wealth of the state in general.

As a result of exploration work reserves to the tune of 7474.084 M.T. of minerals like Coal, Limestone, Bauxite, Iron ore, Silica sand, Kyanite/Sillimanite, Chromite, Ilmenite etc. have been estimated by the Directorate in the State.

The government through the State Geological Programming Board and Central Geological Programming Board co-ordinates its activities with the departments and undertaking of the Govt. of India carrying out mineral exploration work. The prospecting programme of Directorate is approved in State Geological Programming Board every year. The Directorate of Geology and Mining is having about 20 drill machines. Presently Directorate is undertaking prospecting for Coal, Sillimanite-Pyrophyllite and Iron ore minerals in the State. During field season 2012-13 15 schemes are being taken under prospecting.

MINERAL ADMINISTARATION

As a part of Mineral Administration work the Directorate advises Government in respect of grant, renewal, termination, surrender transfer etc. of prospecting licences and mining leases in respect of all major minerals. Directorate also notifies the areas for grant of mineral concessions. Also ensures that the conditions to which mineral concessions are granted are being followed scrupulously by the licence/lease holders. It also advises the government in respect of reservation of areas for exploitation in public sector.

The Directorate advises government in respect of administration of minor minerals also. Officers of this Directorate are posted in each collectorate to assist collectors in mineral administration work. They are called as “District Mining Officers”. They receive the applications for grant of ML/PL for major minerals and for quarry leases, temporary permits for minor minerals. They also carry out work of mineral revenue collection from ML/PL holders of major and minor minerals. The Directorate also advises entrepreneurs for setting up of mineral based industries in the State.

The geological surveys, mineral exploration and mineral administration work carried out by the Directorate has the desired impact on the economy of the State which is reflected in 3 ways.

1) Increase in mineral production of different minerals in the State

2) Increase in mineral revenue

3) Establishment of no. of mineral based industries in the State.

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