Geological Survey
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY department
MANDATE – To generate, archive and disseminate geo-scientific information for use in various sectors such as mining, agriculture, water, civil works, environment and geo-hazards through geoscientific mapping and surveys, exploration monitoring, mining site visits and data collation.
FUNCTIONS
- Map the geology of the country.
- Rock and mineral determinations.
- Generate geo-scientific information for the country.
- Provide technical, consultative and advisory services on applied geology and mineral exploration mostly to small-scale miners.
- Monitor and provide information on mineral exploration and exploitation.
- Collate and archive national geological information.
- Offer Geological Library and Museum services.
- Production and selling of geological publications.
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Vision
Mission
History
Technical Sections
Vision
Being a world-class Geological Information Centre.
Mission
To enhance the knowledge and awareness of Zimbabwe’s geological resources through scientific investigation, as well as application and dissemination of research data, the Geological Survey is facilitating the research for, and the assessment of mineral resources, geological engineering, land use planning and sustainable development with due regard to the environment.
History
- The Zimbabwe Geological Survey Department was established in 1910 in Bulawayo.
- The first Director was Hebert Brantwood Maufe, after which the building currently housing the department in Harare is named.
- The Department geologically mapped the country with each area mapped in detail resulting in production of a geological map and accompanying bulletin describing the geology of the area, mines and mineral deposits within it.
Technical Sections
Responsibilities:
- Monitoring of Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) and Special Grant (SG) activities.
- Establishing and maintaining mineral and hydrocarbon resource inventories and databases.
- Compilation and evaluation of exploration data.
- Compilation and evaluation of geo-scientific data on mineral hydrocarbon resources.
- Production of publications on mineral and hydrocarbon resources and EPO/SG activities.
- Production of mineral and hydrocarbon resources and metallogenic maps.
- Supervision of activities of the mineralogical, coal, rock cutting and thin section laboratories.
- Advising the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, through the Director of the Geological Survey on policy matters.
Main functions:
- Summarize and file geological data generated in Mining Provinces.
- Conduct desk research and advise prospectors who want to venture into mining.
- Rock & mineral identifications.
- Study places and features of geological interest to promote geo-tourism.
The section also works with Environmental and Engineering and Remote Sensing as highlighted below:
Environmental and Engineering:
- Study impacts posed by disused mines, type of ores in the country and how they threaten the environment.
- Study and give advice to communities affected/vulnerable to natural geological hazards like active faults, rock falls, ground subsidence etc.
- Conduct geological assessment and give advice to other stakeholders like civil engineers before construction of major structures like dams.
Remote Sensing:
- Generation of potential mineral deposit targets in the country.
- Initial step in Geological Mapping to be done in the Field Geology Section. Here base maps are generated to guide the Field Geological Mapping exercise.
Responsibilities:
- Acquisition and interpretation of regional geophysical data to aid geological mapping.
- Information dissemination and conducting local geophysical surveys for mineral exploration as a technical service to small-scale miners
- Collation and archiving of geophysical data from expired Exclusive Prospecting Orders reports.
- Management of geophysical datasets.
- Technical consultancy to the mining industry and other government agencies.
- Offer assistance to students and researchers.
Main Functions:
- Archive complete geo-scientific databases for the whole country from exploration, mapping and research activities.
- Ensure the constant supply of geo-scientific data to the mining industry and international investors in usable format.
- Liaise with the Librarian for the acquisition of new publications from both local and international sources to ensure that the library is in tandem with current global trends.
- Apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in sustainable utilization of mineral resources.
- Coordinate participation of the Department at local and international trade shows for dissemination of data.
- Carry out Geoscientific Research on minerals of national importance and produce publications.
Responsibilities:
- Preparation of multi-colored geological maps and a variety of illustrations for scientific reports.
- Compilation of initial field sheets for final printing, including planning, processing and layout presentation.
- Editing and quality controlling the digital data compilation process and output i.e.
- Checking the Geo-scientific Data input and process
- Printing reports and maps for clients and officers.
- Checking the upgrading of mines and technical report plans.
- Checking that digital E.P.O map is up to date.
- Preparation of charts, maps and slides for display and lecture purposes.
- Processing and printing E.P.O and Special Grants data input.
- Issuing of publications and binding of reports.
- Coordinating GIS activities and provide solutions (maps, reports and data).
- Zimbabwe Geological Survey Phaup Library is a National Geoscientific Library at the Zimbabwe Geological Survey Department in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
- It serves staff, researchers, investors, students and the public.
- Aims to disseminate geoscience data and information to stakeholders by managing geoscientific data, developing best practice, exchange, collaboration and education.
Collection
- Text Books
- Theses
- Technical Reports
- EPO Final Reports
- Reprints
- Maps
- Periodicals
- Newspapers
- ZGS Publications
- Technical Cooperation Reports
- Publications from Foreign Geological Surveys
- Historical Collection
- Conference Proceedings
Publications
- ZGS publications available are: bulletins, Mineral Resources Series, annals, short reports, miscellaneous maps and mining publications.
- Copies for sale are available in the Cartographic and Data Management sections of the ZGS.
Subscriptions
- The library receives 5 International Journals on exchange agreement.
- Efforts are being made to increase the number of both printed and electronic journals.
Services
- Open to all stakeholders wishing to research or study.
Library Opening Hours
- Mondays to Fridays: 0830HRS – 1300HRS, Re-Opens 1400HRS – 1600HRS.
- Closes Lunch Hour 1300HRS to 1400HRS, Weekends and all Public Holidays.