Mexican Geological Survey
The Servicio Geológico Mexicano is a decentralized agency of the Mexican Federal Government tasked with generating national geological knowledge. Operating under the Secretariat of Economy, its primary mandate is to map the nation's mining resources, assess geological hazards, and maintain the National Geoscientific Data System.
History
The agency traces its origins to 1944, with the creation of the Comité Directivo para la Investigación de los Recursos Minerales. In 1949, this body was reorganized into the Instituto Nacional para la Investigación de Recursos Minerales.
Following the 1992 modernization of Mexico's mining laws, the agency was restructured as the Consejo de Recursos Minerales to support privatization and foreign investment. In 2005, it was formally renamed the Servicio Geológico Mexicano to reflect its broader scientific mandate beyond just mining support.
Scientific products and services
Geological cartography
The SGM is responsible for the systematic mapping of the Mexican territory. Its principal publication is the Carta Geológico-Minera. The agency has achieved 100% national coverage at the 1:250,000 scale and continues to refine priority mining districts at the 1:50,000 scale. These maps integrate geological field data with aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys to identify potential mineral deposits.
GeoInfoMex
The SGM manages GeoInfoMex, the national geoscientific database. Comparable to the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, GeoInfoMex provides over 90 layers of geospatial data, including geochemistry, geophysics, and mining concession boundaries, accessible to the public via a web-based GIS platform.
Strategic projects
Lithium exploration
Under the "Litio para México" national strategy initiated in 2022, the SGM was tasked with the exploration and characterization of potential lithium clay deposits. The agency focuses on identifying reserves, particularly in the Bacadéhuachi municipality of Sonora, while the extraction and commercialization rights are held by the state-run company, LitioMx.
Hazard assessment (Atlas de Riesgos)
Beyond economic geology, the SGM produces the Atlas de Riesgos, which maps natural hazards such as landslides, land subsidence, and risks associated with historical mining tailings. This data is integrated with the CENAPRED national disaster prevention system.