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(GIST OF YOJANA) Geoscientific Explorations

[October-2022]

The key requirements for supporting mineral exploration in the nation are the acquisition and dissemination of high quality pre-competitive geoscientific baseline data and exploration for deep/hidden mineral resources.
The baseline geoscience data collected by the Geological Survey of India forms the core for further mineral exploration work leading to mineral discoveries.
Exploration of strategic and critical minerals such as tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, lithium, cobalt, REE/RM, phosphate rock, potash, etc. has been encouraged, and to probe deep and hidden deposits.
The growth of the mining industry is directly related to a country's mineral endowment, created by successive efforts in mineral exploration and discoveries and increasing resources.
The foundational geoscience data collected by GSI will form the core for further mineral exploration work leading to mineral discoveries.
The assessment and enhancement of natural resources is today the main objective of GSI, along with activities related to public welfare and the earth sciences.

Mission-I– Baseline Geoscience Data Generation: The National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP), 2016, emphasises that acquisition and dissemination of pre-competitive baseline geoscience data of the highest standards, the creation of a geoscience data repository and a special initiative to probe deep-seated/concealed mineral deposits are primary requisites to promote mineral exploration in the country.
Accordingly, GSI is on a mission to generate nationwide baseline geoscience data, eg. geological, geochemical, geophysical, and aero-geophysical data which are of paramount importance for planning mineral exploration activities.

GSI has geologically mapped 99.15% of the mappable part of the country at a 1:50,000 scale.

Mission-II–Natural Resource Assessment: GSI is augmenting natural mineral and coal resources for enhancing the mining sector’s contribution to the GDP of India.
- In response to the natural requirement, thrust has been given on exploration for strategic and critical minerals like tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, lithium, cobalt, rock phosphate, potash, etc. and to probe deep-seated and concealed deposits under Project “Uncover India”, in collaboration with Geoscience Australia.
Mission III-Geoinformatics: GSI has implemented Online Core Business Integrated System (OCBIS) portal to fulfil the responsibility to disseminate multi-thematic geoscientific information freely for the use of all concerned stakeholders through “Bhukosh” – the flagship portal of GSI.
Mission-IV– Fundamental & Multidisciplinary Geosciences and Special Studies: Fundamental geoscience research such as crustal evolution, tracing of mineral bearing pathways, tectonic studies, and geophysical research, all contribute to mineral exploration which in turn engenders research problems on structure and tectonics, coupled with geological and other thematic maps form input parameters to help comprehend the earth surface processes which helps in holistic studies on natural hazards and disaster management.

The application of multi-disciplinary geoscience research with advanced geoscience skills of data acquisition, accumulation and analysis with intensive field and lab studies become imperative for discovering new mineral deposits of economic significance all over the world.
Earlier, the discoveries were mainly a result of mapping with the study of exposed outcrops. Now the challenge is more complex as easily discoverable deposits showing surface manifestation are a rarity now. Current discovery efforts mandate the combined efforts of advanced geoscience research activities apart from the wide use of baseline geoscience data.