DIRECTORATE OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND MINES

What DIRECTORATE OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND MINES does

The Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) is a government directorate under Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, headquartered in Entebbe with a regional office in Moroto serving the Karamoja region. It is the sole government body mandated to manage and regulate Uganda's mineral resources, operating across three departments: the Geological Survey Department (Geology, Geophysics & Seismic, Laboratory, and Geodata divisions), the Mines Department (Licensing, Geoscience, and Monitoring & Inspection), and the Geothermal Resource Department. DGSM issues and administers mineral licences through the Mining Cadastre Portal (LandFolio), maintains the centralized Geological and Mineral Information System (GMIS), operates a national seismic monitoring network, and runs laboratory and beneficiation services for geological, mineral, and environmental samples.

Its core technology stack combines an airborne and ground geophysical survey capability — including a Karamoja airborne survey covering nearly 100% of the country — with the ICGLR mineral tracking and certification system for conflict-free mineral provenance. DGSM publishes geological and mineral occurrence maps, annual reports, and policy documents, and trains artisanal miners in sustainable practices. It convenes the annual Mineral Wealth Conference in collaboration with the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals and participates in international forums such as INDABA.

DGSM does not operate as a commercial enterprise. It is funded through national budget allocations and donor grants (notably a €3.5 million / Shs 16.8 billion PanAfGeo+ and GIZ-funded MoU with the Geological Survey of Slovenia signed June 18, 2025). Its customers in a service-delivery sense are large and small-scale mining companies seeking licences, artisanal miners receiving training and certification, and international investors and development partners engaging on Uganda's mineral sector opportunities.

Name

DIRECTORATE OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND MINES

Legal name

Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines

Website

https://dgsm.go.ug

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geological Survey and Mining Regulation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Mining (213), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAKAKAA

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Metals & Mining/Mining Services & Contracting (Exploration, Drilling, Blasting, Mine Operations)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Mineral exploration
• Mining regulation
• Geophysical surveys
• Geothermal resource assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Entebbe

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) is a government directorate under Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development that conducts geological mapping, mineral exploration, and drilling; administers mining licenses; monitors and inspects mining operations for compliance; maintains seismic monitoring networks; operates a centralized geoscientific database (GMIS); manages a Mining Cadastre Portal (LandFolio); provides laboratory testing of geological materials; and assesses geothermal resources across Uganda.

Product overview

The Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) is a government directorate under Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. It offers a broad suite of geoscientific and mining regulatory services organized into three main departments: the Geological Survey Department (with Geology, Laboratory, Geophysics & Seismic, and Geodata divisions), the Mines Department (with License Administration, Geoscience, and Monitoring & Inspection divisions), and the Geothermal Resource Department. DGSM also operates the Mining Cadastre Portal (via LandFolio) for licensing, the Geological and Mineral Information System (GMIS) for data management, and publishes a range of geological maps, mineral occurrence maps, policy documents, and annual reports. Together these products provide end-to-end mineral resource management from exploration and licensing through to inspection, compliance, and publication of geoscientific data.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geological Survey Department Services Conducts geological mapping, mineral exploration, and drilling activities; establishes the mineral potential of the country; collects and updates geological data; monitors geo-tectonic events and geohazards; and identifies geosites and geoparks. Targeted at mining companies, investors, and government stakeholders.
• Laboratory Testing and Beneficiation Services Offers sample preparation, laboratory testing of geological materials, mineral dressing, analytical, and petrology services. Operates regional training and mineral Beneficiation centers for in-country mineral value addition. Targeted at miners, researchers, and mineral traders.
• Geophysical and Seismic Monitoring Services Conducts geophysical investigations for mineral development, maintains seismic stations and a seismic monitoring network, and disseminates airborne and ground geophysical data. Targeted at mineral exploration companies and government geohazard programs.
• Geoscientific Data Services (Geodata) Acquires, processes, and disseminates geoscientific information through a centralized geoscientific database; prepares and produces geoscientific maps including geological maps, mineral occurrence maps, and industrial minerals maps for research and investment promotion. Targeted at researchers, investors, and mining companies.
• Mining Cadastre Portal (Licensing) Web-based licensing portal (LandFolio) for receiving and processing mineral rights applications, managing license administration, and maintaining up-to-date licensing information for all mining operations in Uganda. Targeted at mining companies and license applicants.
• Mines Inspection and Monitoring Services Monitors and inspects mining operations to ensure compliance with regulations; collects data on mining activities; trains artisanal miners in sustainable mining and mineral value addition; and establishes mineral trading centres. Targeted at licensed mining operators and artisanal miners.
• Geoscience and License Evaluation Services Conducts technical evaluation of mineral applications and quarterly performance appraisals of licensed operations to advise on revocation or cancellation of licenses. Manages technical documentation within the Mines Department. Targeted at mining applicants and license holders.
• Geothermal Resource Development Services Establishes and develops Uganda's geothermal potential, maintains a geothermal resource database, and provides advisory services on geothermal uses. Main geothermal resources are located in the western districts around Lake Albert and Lake Edward in the East African Rift System. Targeted at energy developers and government energy planners.
• Geological Maps and Mineral Publications Publishes geological maps including the Geological Map of Uganda, Mineral Occurrence Map, Gold Occurrence Map, Battery Minerals Map, Critical Minerals Map, Industrial Minerals Map, Tin/Tantalite/Tungsten (3Ts) Occurrence Map, and Iron Ore Map for southwest Uganda. Targeted at mining investors, researchers, and exploration companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Completion of airborne geophysical survey covering nearly 100% of Karamoja region
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025MoU signed on June 18, 2025, with €3.5 million (Shs 16.8 billion) funding from PanAfGeo+ and GIZ. The partnership focuses on data collection on 11 selected mineral targets, procurement of equipment and software, and skills development for GSD staff. Project duration is 5 years with GeoZs leading implementation while GSD serves as data custodian.
• European Union (EU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting sustainable management of mineral resources, resource quantification, establishment of digital mineral database, chain-of-custody system, and skills development in Uganda's mining sector.
• Government of GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting digital mineral database, chain-of-custody system, and skills development through GIZ cooperation.
• PanAfGeo+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project supporting geological mapping in Africa, with geological mapping project commencing October 2025 focused on data collection, skills development, laboratory equipping, and promotion of Uganda's mineral resources.
• Uganda Chamber of Energy and MineralsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner in organizing the annual Mineral Wealth Conference, providing platform for industry discussions and investment promotion.
• International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional body managing mineral tracking and certification systems for conflict-free minerals in the Great Lakes region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/directorate-of-geological-survey-and-mines

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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