Economic Geology

The Maine Geological Survey provides information for mineral collectors including geologic books and reports as well as less technical information for novice mineral collectors. A modest reference collection of Maine minerals is available at the office in Augusta for inspection by the public.

The Maine Geological Survey oversees a rock core storage facility in which selected samples of rock core are housed and inventoried. This facility includes samples from various mining prospects and exploration drilling, including the manganese ore from Aroostook County, copper-zinc ore from Hancock County, pegmatite explorations in Oxford County, and nickel ore from Knox County. All core is donated to the facility and can be made available to interested parties for study by arrangement. The Survey also maintains a library of geologic reports and maps showing locations of mine and quarry sites that is available to the public at our office in Augusta during office hours, with advance notice recommended.

With the current hiatus in active metal mining in the state, and with several large ore deposits already known and characterized, the efforts of the Maine Geological Survey in economic geology are mainly to compile existing information and educate the public rather than conduct new field investigations.

Last updated on January 3, 2012

MAINE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Economic Geology