It is the agency responsible for performing geological mapping and surveying which provides geological maps, reports, and mineral analysis, and for developing Newfoundland and Labrador's natural resources and protecting the environment.

The Survey currently has 5 sections (Regional Geology; Mineral Deposits; Geochemistry, Geophysics and Terrain Sciences; Geoscience Data Management and Geoscience Publications and Information) and a geochemical laboratory.

The first geological surveys of Newfoundland were begun as early as 1839 by Joseph Jukes.

It was, however, in 1864 that the first systematic geological investigations began, when the Geological Survey of Newfoundland was inaugurated by Sir William Logan, who, on request of the colonial government appointed Alexander Murray as director.

[1] Murray and his assistant (and eventual successor), James Howley, were pioneering geologists whose work formed the basis for the first geological map of Newfoundland, published in 1907.