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The Commissionerate of Geology & Mining is in-charge of the mineral administration in the State at the Department Level and the Secretary, Industries Department at the Government level.

In alignment with the Vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister to make Tamil Nadu “The No. 1 State in India ”, the Department of Geology & Mining is guided by its

VISION STATEMENT

TO CONSOLIDATE THE LEADERSHIP POSITION OF TAMIL NADU IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MINERAL WEALTH.

MISSION STATEMENT

TO UNDERTAKE / FACILITATE SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION, OPTIMAL EXPLOITATION, JUDICIOUS CONSERVATION AND REVENUE MAXIMIZATION IN AN INDUSTRY, ECO AND A CITIZEN FRIENDLY POLICY FRAMEWORK.

The Department plays both regulatory as well as a pro-active promotional role for the development of the mineral wealth of Tamil Nadu.

The Mining Sector - A Profile

The State of Tamil Nadu is the southern province of the Indian Peninsula. The rich and varied mineral resources of the State have contributed handsomely towards the development and industrialisation of the State. It is one of the leading States in the reserves of the following minerals : Lignite, Garnet, Magnesite, Quartz, Feldspar, Clay, Limestone, Bauxite, Graphite and Granite.

Under the dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the mining policies and practices in Tamil Nadu are industry-friendly and pro-active. The potential reserves of the various minerals, offer good business opportunities for investors.

Geomorphologically, the State can be divided into three distinct zones - the North Western and Western regions covered by hilly terrains, the Eastern zone covered by coastal plains and in between these two zones middle level plain area spreading in North - South direction.

Geologically, the hilly terrains and the middle level plain contain crystalline hard rocks such as charnockites, granite gneiss, khondalites, leptynites, metamorphic gneisses with detached occurrences of crystalline limestone, iron ore, quartzo-feldspathic veins and basic intrusives such as dolerites and anorthosites.  Coastal zones contain sedimentary limestones, clay, laterites, heavy mineral sands and silica sands. The hill ranges are  sporadically capped with laterites and bauxites of residual nature.

Gypsum and phosphatic nodules occur as sedimentary veins in rocks of the cretaceous age.  Gypsum of secondary replacement occurs in some of the areas adjoining the foot hills of the Western Ghats.  Lignite occurs as sedimentary beds of tertiary age.  The Black Granite and other hard rocks are amenable for high polish. These granites occur in most of the districts except the coastal area.

Potential for Gold deposits in Maharajakadai region of Dharmapuri district as the Southern extension of Kolar Gold Fields and in the Gudalur-Devala region in The Nilgiris district exists.