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About DGMR

Our goals: The Division of Geology and Mineral Resources supports the safe and intelligent use of Virginia’s resources by providing quality geologic and mineral resource information. DGMR encourages the exploration and development of Virginia’s mineral and energy resources.

Our duties: In the Code of Virginia, Title 45.1, Chapter 25, (as amended by Chapter 590 of the 1984 Acts of Assembly, 1984) §45.1-386, it is stated that the responsibilities and duties of DGMR include:

1. An examination of the geological formations of the Commonwealth and the resources contained therein, with special reference to both economic products and energy resources, namely, coals, ores, clays, feldspar, lime, natural gas, oil, cement, sand and gravel, stone, materials suitable for use in building and road construction, mineral waters, other mineral substances, and geothermal energy resources.
2. An examination of latent resources and waste minerals to determine the best methods of utilizing the same, studies of the soils and weathered residuum as related to parent rock.
3. The maintenance of repositories for representative rock and mineral materials from various wells, mines, excavations and naturally occurring exposures.
4. Maintenance of records and statistics of the mineral industry and geological conditions of the Commonwealth.
5. Performance of such chemical and physical tests, including test borings, to acquire subsurface information relative to mineral deposits masked by soils and rock overburden.
6. An examination of the physical features of the Commonwealth with reference to their practical bearing upon the occupation and well-being of the people.
7. The preparation of special geological and economic maps and displays to illustrate the resources of the Commonwealth.
8. The preparation of regular and special reports, with necessary illustrations and maps, which shall embrace both a general and detailed description of the geology and mineral resources of the Commonwealth.
9. The consideration of such other scientific and economic questions as in the judgment of the Director shall be deemed of value to the people of the Commonwealth.
10. To arrange for the investigation and reporting of geology of the Commonwealth with the Director or the representative of the United States Geological Survey in regard to cooperation between the United States Geological Survey and the Department in topographic and geologic work in such instances as may be deemed necessary and of advantage to the Commonwealth. In all cooperative work, a sum of money shall be expended by the United States Geological Survey at least equivalent to that expended by the Department. The Director may accept or reject the work of the United States Geological Survey.
11. The participation in matters requiring geological and mineral resources advice and guidance as related to state lands and sought by state agencies and institutions.
12. The provision of basic research and the development of methods utilized in the determination of characteristics, structure and origin for geological formations and economic mineral deposits.

Pencil sketches of William Barton Rogers, first State Geologist (left) and Thomas Leonard Watson (right) drawn by Christine Schmiel. These sketches were made available to DGMR by Professor Grant Goodell, University of Virginia.

Our past: Virginia’s geological survey was created in 1835 by the Virginia General Assembly.  The intent of the survey was to characterize and map the extent of Virginia’s mineral resources, especially coal.  The Geological Survey of Virginia, as it was known at that time, was the fifth state geological survey created in the United States.  William Barton Rogers served as the survey’s first director.  From the compilation of Rogers’ reports and maps, the first comprehensive geologic map of Virginia was produced in 1884.  Rogers was also professor of natural philosophy and chemistry at the College of William and Mary and later founded the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1865.  Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 feet, was named for William Barton Rogers.

In 1907, Thomas Leonard Watson published “Mineral Resources of Virginia.”  This publication was a comprehensive review of the mineral resource occurrences in the state and was released to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement.  Watson was appointed Director of the survey in 1908.

The Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources (DGMR) has had several names since it inception in 1835 including: Geological Survey of Virginia (1835-43), Virginia Geological Survey (1908-54), Division of Geology (1954-57), and Division of Mineral Resources (1957-2008).  In 1985, the Division of Mineral Resources became a division of the newly created Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. As of July 1, 2008, the division's name changed once again to the Division of Geology and Mineral Resources (DGMR) to further emphasize our role as Virginia's geological survey.

Our future: DGMR’s role is to develop and make available information that allows people to make informed decisions that promote the wise use of Virginia’s geologic resources and the continued growth of its economy. DGMR will accomplish this by supporting our natural resource-based industries, coordinating research efforts with economic development activities, and improving data accessibility. Our cooperative relationships with major universities, the U.S. Geological Survey, and other organizations will allow us to continue to strive for maximum efficiency and impact in our geological studies.

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