The Mineral Museum is a public facility founded upon the need to understand the natural mineral resources of New Mexico and preserve materials of historical, aesthetic, and cultural value. The Mineral Museum has formally existed at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology since 1927, although the New Mexico College of Mines has actually maintained a mineral collection since its beginnings in 1889. The museum became part of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) in 1960 (then Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources). The museum exists because its function fulfills a number of activities charged to the Bureau of Geology as stipulated by Chapter 69 of the New Mexico Statute. This includes portions of sections:
69-1-2. Purposes and functions: ...B. to collect typical geologic and mineral specimens and samples of products; to collect photographs, models and drawings of appliances used in mines, mills, smelters, oil wells, natural gas wells and the refineries of oil and natural gas in New Mexico;... H. to make qualitative examinations of rocks and mineral samples and specimens; I. to assist in the education of miners, prospectors, and the general public through lectures and presentations;... J. to consider such other kindred, scientific and economic problems and questions as in the judgment of the board shall be deemed of value to the people of the state...
Museum Mission
The mission of the museum is to procure, display, and curate geological, mineralogical, and paleontological materials, primarily from the State of New Mexico, for the purposes of research, education, posterity, and enjoyment for the citizens of the state. We seek to inspire and act as a gateway to a love of science and other STEM fields.
The Museum accomplishes its goal through:
- Public display of the best and most representative specimens and materials
- Educational programming
- Interpretation of natural history information
- Selective collection, preservation, research, and publication in the Museum's chosen fields
