About DMME

Enhancing Safe and Environmentally Sound Mineral Resource Development

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) serves a large and varied group of people, organizations and agencies throughout the Commonwealth. Through its six divisions, the agency regulates the mineral industry, provides mineral research and offers advice on wise use of resources. Its programs directly serve the citizens who live near mining operations, mining labor groups, other regulatory agencies, the educational community, the mineral industry, and environmental, consumer and industry special-interest groups.

Our Mission

The Department's mission is to enhance the development and conservation of energy and mineral resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner in order to support a more productive economy in Virginia.  To meet this mission, DMME works to achieve the following results:

• Providing for worker safety and health on coal and mineral mines, and to assist with worker safety on gas and oil extraction sites.
• Eliminating off-site environmental damages and ensuring the proper restoration of lands used for coal and mineral mining, and gas and oil operations.
• Examining and providing information about Virginia’s geology and mineral resources.
• Advancing energy efficiency in state government and business activities.
• Promoting economic development in our natural resource and energy sectors.
• Managing the Department’s resources effectively and efficiently.

The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy provides state government, the business community, and citizens with a focal point for the development of innovative policies, and for the implementation of comprehensive programs for energy and mineral resources consistent with modern safety and conservation practices.

Our Values in Dealing With Our Customers

• Operating with a high sense of ethics, honesty, and integrity.
• Demonstrating fairness, respect, responsiveness, straightforwardness and deliberateness in our actions and communications.
• Functioning in a competent and knowledgeable manner, which emphasizes such principles as:
  • consistency in service provision,
  • attentiveness to client's needs and their organizational and operational requirements,
  • being firm, yet flexible, in delivering services which focus on safety, the environment, and economic development.

Mineral Resource Development in Virginia

Mineral resources have played a significant role in Virginia’s growth and development since the settlement of Jamestown when English colonists began mining and smelting iron in 1609. The first commercial coal mining in the United States occurred near Richmond in 1748. Thomas Jefferson, in his essay "Notes on the State of Virginia," mentioned the discovery of gold, coal, lead, copper, iron, graphite, marble, limestone and other minerals.

Today, over 400 different minerals have been found and more than 30 different mineral resources are produced in Virginia at a combined annual value of nearly $2 billion. Virginia is the nation’s 10th largest producer of coal, ranks 5th in the production of crushed stone and has experienced a dramatic increase in the production of natural gas, driven by the development of coalbed methane reserves.

For additional information contact: Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Office of Public Information, P.O. Drawer 900, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219, (276) 523-8146 or e-mail.

Employment

Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Jobs

All state agency jobs

Virginia Employment Commission Job Listings

All DMME applications must be submitted on-line through the Recruitment Management System (RMS).

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