About the Bureau

Serving the citizens of Montana through geologic
and hydrologic research and information

        The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology is the principal source of earth science information for the citizens of Montana. Since 1919, it has been mandated to conduct research and assist in the orderly development of the State's mineral and water resources. As a non-regulatory agency, the Bureau provides extensive advisory, technical, and informational services on geologic, mineral, energy, and water resources in the State. Increasingly, the Bureau also is involved in the study of environmental impacts to land and water, whether the impacts were caused by past practices in hard-rock mining or by current activities in agriculture or industry. 

The Bureau's basic support comes from a biennial legislative appropriation. Additionally, the Bureau seeks funding for extensive research from outside sources. Many of our projects are conducted jointly with various State and Federal agencies, county governments, municipalities, and other local groups. Operating out of two offices in Montana, in Butte and Billings (located on the Montana Tech and MSU-Billings campuses, respectively), we employ 59 full-time staff, including 31 research professionals and 24 in technical/clerical positions. Products of the Bureau's research are published by our Information Services Division or through the scientific literature.