Administrative Code of 1987
Section 16. Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau. - The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, to be headed by a Director and assisted by an Assistant Director shall absorb the functions of the Bureau of Mines and Geo-Sciences, Mineral Reservation Development Board, and the Gold Mining Development Board which were abolished by Executive Order No. 131, except line functions and powers thereof which are transferred to the regional field offices.
It shall advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to geology and mineral resources exploration, development, utilization and conservation and shall:
(1) Recommend policies, regulations or programs pertaining to mineral resources development and geology;
(2) Advise the Secretary on the granting of mining rights and contracts over areas containing metallic and non-metallic mineral resources;
(3) Advise the Regional Offices on the effective implementation of mineral development and conservation programs as well as geological surveys;
(4) Recommend policies, regulations and oversee the development and exploitation of mineral resources of the sea within the country's jurisdiction such as silica sand, gold placer, magnetic and chromite sand, etc;
(5) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the Bureau's programs and projects to ensure efficiency and effectiveness thereof;
(6) Develop and promulgate standards and operating procedures on mineral resources development and geology;
(7) Supervise and control the development and packaging of nationally applicable technologies on geological survey, mineral resource assessment, mining and metallurgy; the provision of geological, metallurgical, chemical and rock mechanics laboratory services; the conduct of marine geological and geophysical survey and natural exploration drilling programs; and
(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.