Resident Geologist Program

What We Do

The Resident Geologist Program monitors, stimulates and facilitates mineral exploration and the sustainable development of Ontario's mineral resources. Program services and functions are grouped into the following six key areas:

Provides expert geological consultation and advisory services to promote and stimulate mineral exploration

• provides in-office and in-field client consultations and expert advice
• conducts client mineral exploration property visits
• conducts geological field trips for mineral industry clients

Generates and transfers new geoscientific data and ideas

• investigates and documents mineral occurrences and deposits
• recommends areas and ideas for mineral exploration
• provides talks and posters at geoscience symposia and conventions
• provides geological field trips for university students, geological association conferences/events

Maintains and provides public access to geoscience databases/other resource materials, such as

• mineral industry assessment files and donated materials
• local geoscience libraries (e.g., OGS/GSC/other geoscientific publications)
• diamond-drill core libraries and catalogue
• Mineral Deposit Inventory (MDI) database
• ancillary geoscience databases (e.g., properties with mineral inventories not being mined, local mine plans, list of local service industry providers)
• local and regional geology/mine rock suites, thin and polished sections

Monitors and reports on mineral exploration and development activity

• visits and reports on active mines and mineral exploration operations
• conducts literature reviews and maintains relevant information databases (e.g., newspaper clippings, company annual reports, company press releases)
• prepares monthly operations/activity reports
• prepares an annual Report of Activities

Provides input into land-use planning issues and initiatives to maximize the land base available for mineral exploration and development

• reviews and comments on municipal Official Plans and Official Plan Amendments
• provides mineral resource assessments/comments on provincial land-use planning/management initiatives and related policy development
• reviews and comments on other land management issues (e.g., Federal park creations and expansions)

Participates in public education forums to promote the mineral sector

• provides talks and posters in support of OMA Mining Week and other geoscience-related conferences and symposia (e.g., rock and gem shows)
• provides prospector classes to First Nation communities

The Resident Geologist Program also provides support to the ministry’s Mining Lands Section front-counter client services, plays a significant role in attracting mineral resource investment to Ontario and assists in fostering relations between the mineral industry and First Nation communities through the role and activities of the First Nations Minerals Information Officer based in Thunder Bay.