Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research

Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is the oldest unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Under the Atomic Energy Act, passed by the Govt. of India on April 15, 1948 and following creation of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) on August 10, 1948, AMD was created on July 29, 1949 as ‘Rare Minerals Survey Unit’ with headquarter in New Delhi. It was renamed first as ‘Raw Materials Division’ and then as ‘Atomic Minerals Division’ in 1958. Its headquarter was later shifted to Hyderabad in 1974. In keeping with its growing stature as one of the country’s leading scientific organizations involved in multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted exploration-cum-analytical-cum research activities, the ‘Division’ was rechristened as a ‘Directorate’ on July 29, 1998 on the eve of its stepping into the ‘Golden Jubilee’ Year.

AMD commenced its operations on October 3, 1950 with a nucleus of 17 geoscientists which has grown to 1808 personnel (in all categories) as on 01.02.2024. The principal mandate of the unit was to carry out geological exploration and discover mineral deposits required for Atomic Energy power programme of the country. Professor D.N. Wadia, “Padma Bhusan“ awardee (1958), FRS, a doyen among Indian geologists guided the exploration programme of the Directorate till 1970 as Geological Advisor of the Department. The unit saw Dr. P.K. Ghosh as its first Director appointed in 1957.