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National Conference on Critical Minerals – Jabalpur

08 Aug 2025 GS 2 Govt schemes & initiatives
National Conference on Critical Minerals – Jabalpur Click to view full image
Context : Organised by Geological Survey of India (GSI) – as part of 175th Foundation Year celebrations.

  • Dates: 7–8 Aug 2025.

  • Theme: “Critical minerals: exploration and exploitation”.

  • Venue: Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

  • Purpose: Platform for exchange of ideas & roadmap for future critical mineral resource augmentation & utilisation.

Geological Survey of India (GSI) 

Overview

  • Type: Scientific agency under Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India.

  •  Thomas Oldham, the founder of GSI.

  • Founded: 1851 

  • The first Director General (or Superintendent, as the position was initially called) of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) was Dr. Thomas Oldham. He was appointed in 1851 and served until 1876.

  • Among the oldest scientific organisations in the world, and second oldest survey in India (after Survey of India – 1767).[The first Surveyor General of India was Colin Mackenzie, appointed in 1815. ]

  • Central Headquarters, Kolkata

  • Purpose:

    • Conduct geological surveys & studies.

    • Provide basic earth science data to govt, industry & public.

    • Participate in steel, coal, metals, cement, power sectors.

    • Represent India in international geoscientific forums.

Historical Origins

  • 1836: “Coal Committee” formed to explore coal in eastern India.

  • 1845: David Hiram Williams (British Geological Survey) appointed “Surveyor of coal districts”.

  • 1847: First use of the phrase “Geological Survey of India” on a coal field map.

  • 1848: Williams became “Geological Surveyor” but died of “jungle fever” in Nov 1848.

  • 1851: John McClelland retired; Sir Thomas Oldham appointed, expanded work beyond coal to mapping rock types, structures & ages.

  • John McClelland is significant in the history of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as he was the first to use the term "Geological Survey of India" in an 1848 report. He also designated himself as the officiating surveyor of the Geological Survey. 

  • McClelland was appointed secretary of the "Coal Committee" in 1836, which served as a precursor to the GSI. 

  • He was instrumental in convincing the East India Company to establish a systematic geological study, primarily focused on coal exploration. The GSI was officially established in 1851. 



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