The glorious tradition of India’s past mining history is all but lost in collective amnesia. The old workings scattered all over the mining tracts are the footprints that guide the future geologist.

The great pioneers, who came in the early part of 19^th century, were mainly guided by the scientific curiosity. They were amateur geologists associated with the Army and the Survey of India, publishing their findings in the journals of the Asiatic Society and the Madras Journal of Literature and Science. Museum of Economic Geology was set up in the Asiatic Society in 1841.

In 1836, a ‘Coal Committee’ was set up with John McClelland as the Secretary for advising the Government regarding the best means of procuring coal for extending steam navigation. McClelland is considered as ‘progenitor’ of GSI. Due to his persistent effort, the East India Company appointed a professional geologist D.H. Williams in 1846, but he died shortly. Thomas Oldham joined on 5^th March 1851; that date marked the beginning of the ‘continuous period of GSI’. Oldham set up a regular office in 1856 and became the head of the Geological Survey and the Museum. The publication series, initiated by him, since that time, record GSI’s contribution in the field of geological research.

Oldham, as early as 1852, could convince the Government that GSI’s primary object should be to cover the country systematically, rather than only focusing on the isolated occurrences of immediate relevance. They faced enormous challenges. The country was mainly terra incognita. They were tradesmen without tools. Deadly disease took heavy tolls, but they were men with courage and vision.

Major achievements of the First Fifty Years are:

1. Preliminary Survey of the Indian Subcontinent and the adjoining area. The first geological map was published on 1877.
2. Delineation of the major Coalfields, discovery of the iron ores in Central India, and the petroleum prospects in Burma.
3. Development of the concept of Gondwanaland
4. Significant contribution in the field of seismology
5. Identification of new rock types like charnockite and carbonatite
6. Delineation of the major coal fields
7. Taking active part in setting up of the Indian Museum
8. Initiation of the study of geology in the Presidency College, Calcutta.

The Second Fifty years was the period of monumental achievements in the fundamental and applied fields. Thomas Oldham strongly advocated the need for the development of indigenous industries and restricting the export of critical minerals.

Major contributions of that period are:

1. Pilgrim’s work on the Siwalik mammals
2. Hayden, Wadia, West, Auden and Lahiri’s work on the Himalayas
3. Fermor’s work on manganiferous deposits
4. Heron’s work on Rajasthan Geology
5. Dunn and Krishnan’s work on Singhbhum and Gangpur
6. P.N. Bose, Crookshank, Dunn and Krishnan’s work on the mica fields
7. Development of Steel, Copper and Aluminium industries.

1. Nationalisation of all major minerals in non-Coal sector.
2. Indian Bureau of Mines, Oil and Natural Gas Commission nucleated from GSI.
3. In the second and third plans (1956-66) mineral and mineral-based industries got the highest priority.
4. Emphasis for hydel power development.
5. Priority for ground water development.
6. Preference for oil based technology, neglect of Coal in energy sector.

1. Major expansion of GSI.
2. Setting up of major steel plants – raw materials explored by Geological Survey of India, Indian Bureau of Mine, National Mineral Development Corporation, Hindustan Zinc Limited, Bharat Aluminium Company.

1. Hike in price of the petroleum products led to the rediscovery of ‘Old king Coal’. Coal Industry was nationalized.
2. Worldwide concern for possible depletion of non-renewable resources

gave new thrust for mineral search.

3. Scramble for seabed resources. Delineation of Exclusive Economic Zone and Resources beyond Exclusive Economic Zone.
4. Environmental issues generated global concern.
5. Central Ground Water Board and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited carved out of GSI.
6. Quest for non-conventional energy sources.

1. Discovery of huge-resources of Coal; setting up of Coal India and subsidiaries.
2. Establishment of East Coast bauxite deposits – setting up of National Aluminium Corporation.
3. Discovery of large resources of base metals.
4. Preliminary survey in Coastal water and Exclusive Economic Zone.
5. Air borne magnetic and multi sensor survey – initiation with foreign collaboration, later development of indigenous capability.
6. Preliminary delineation of a number of geothermal fields.
7. Systematic study of glaciers and study in Antarctica.

1. Opening of mineral sector for domestic and foreign private participation.
2. Sustainable development became the major concern in the decision-making processes. Environmental clearance became mandatory for the major projects.

1. Emphasis for the exploration of power, coal, base metals, gold, diamond, platinum, dimension stones.
2. Systematising the geological database - to play the role of ‘facilitator’ for mineral development
3. Geo-environmental projects with the emphasis for development, impact assessment and mitigation of natural hazards.

1. Coverage of 98% of the country by geological mapping
2. Reconnoitery survey of 96% of EEZ.
3. Air borne geophysical survey over 1.9 million sq km
4. Large scale thematic mapping in geologically critical areas covered over 1 lakh sq km
5. Participated in 19 Antarctica expeditions – giving leadership 7 times. GSI leads 20^th expedition also.
6. Publication of national, state, quadrangle series, district geo-resources maps, Atlas series.
7. Streamlining the process of dissemination of the unpublished reports, maps, information brochures, following the statutory stipulations.
8. Large mineral resources discovered. Mineral production (non oil sector) terms of value increased from Rs.70 crores to Rs.25,300 crores

1. Shortage of resources of many critical minerals.
2. Per capita consumption of food, energy, mineral products very low. Accelerated growth will trigger off tremendous demand for mineral resources and water.
3. 16% of the world population inhabiting of 2.4% of land area will overstretch the carrying power of the environment.