The Division shall have for its responsibilities and duties the following:

1. An examination of the geological formations of the Commonwealth and the resources contained therein, with special reference to both economic products and energy resources, namely, coals, ores, clays, feldspar, lime, natural gas, oil, cement, sand and gravel, stone, materials suitable for use in building and road construction, mineral waters, other mineral substances, and geothermal energy resources.

2. An examination of latent resources and waste minerals to determine the best methods of utilizing the same, studies of the soils and weathered residuum as related to parent rock.

3. The maintenance of repositories for representative rock and mineral materials from various wells, mines, excavations and naturally occurring exposures.

4. Maintenance of records and statistics of the mineral industry and geological conditions of the Commonwealth.

5. Performance of such chemical and physical tests, including test borings, to acquire subsurface information relative to mineral deposits masked by soils and rock overburden.

6. An examination of the physical features of the Commonwealth with reference to their practical bearing upon the occupation and well-being of the people.

7. The preparation of special geological and economic maps and displays to illustrate the resources of the Commonwealth.

8. The preparation of regular and special reports, with necessary illustrations and maps, which shall embrace both a general and detailed description of the geology and mineral resources of the Commonwealth.

9. The consideration of such other scientific and economic questions as in the judgment of the Director shall be deemed of value to the people of the Commonwealth.

10. To arrange for the investigation and reporting of geology of the Commonwealth with the Director or the representative of the United States Geological Survey in regard to cooperation between the United States Geological Survey and the Department in topographic and geologic work in such instances as may be deemed necessary and of advantage to the Commonwealth. In all cooperative work, a sum of money shall be expended by the United States Geological Survey at least equivalent to that expended by the Department. The Director may accept or reject the work of the United States Geological Survey.

11. The participation in matters requiring geological and mineral resources advice and guidance as related to state lands and sought by state agencies and institutions.

12. The provision of basic research and the development of methods utilized in the determination of characteristics, structure and origin for geological formations and economic mineral deposits.

1984, c. 590.