California State Mining Bureau

Administrative History

The State Mining Bureau was created in 1880 by chapter 105 to collect geological and mineral specimens and to carry out various informational functions relating to mining and geology. At the same time, the office of the State Mineralogist was created. A five-member Board of Trustees of the State Mining Bureau was created in 1885 to direct and control property, money, and the financial affairs of the bureau. (Statutes 1885, chapter 105).

The role of the State Mining Bureau was expanded in 1893 by chapter 173 of that year. It repealed the 1880 and 1885 laws and created a new State Mining Bureau and Board of Trustee. The Board would supervise and approve the activities of the bureau and State Mineralogist. The law was again re-written in 1913 (chapter 679) and the Board of Trustee was abolished. In 1927 the Department of Natural Resources was created by chapter 128. At this time, the powers and duties of the State Mineralogist and State Mining Bureau were assigned to the Division of Mines within this new department.