Geology and Mining Unit, Directorate of Industries is a multi-disciplinary earth science organization under the Department of Industrial Development, Government of Uttarakhand, having total sanctioned strength of 181 employees from different cadres, viz., Geology, Mining, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Drilling, Surveying and Cartography.

Main functions of the Geology and Mining Unit are Geotechnical Studies and works for development and management of mineral resources, which are essential for the economic development of the State.

Geotechnical Studies are of critical importance in the hill state of Uttarakhand which has a very fragile ecosystem. The hill region is particularly prone to natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides and flash flood etc. It is therefore necessary that before allowing any civil construction, detailed geological-geotechnical study of the proposed construction site is carried out and suitability of the site is considered while clearing it for construction. Preliminary geological-geotechnical studies of buildings, roads, canals, power transmission lines etc. sites are being carried out by the Unit.

The activities concerning minerals and mining include ensuring judicious mineral exploration and exploitation, building up a mineral database of the State, providing the geological/mineral information to the State and entrepreneurs, and acting as a Nodal Agency for collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of geological/mineral related information in the state. Besides these, the processing of Mineral Concession Applications, monitoring of royalty, periodical revision of minor mineral royalties, and the related legal aspects are also looked after. The Unit also grants permissions for Stone Crusher/Screening Plant/Pulverising Plants etc.

A recently launched programme deals with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study of mining areas. For this purpose, an EIA Cell has been constituted in the Unit. This cell will monitor the impact of mining activities on the environment, the approval and execution of the mining plans, and execution of Environmental Management Plan (EMP). This will promote conservation and scientific development of mineral resources.