Geographic Information Systems (GIS) a powerful tool to analyze and display spatial data is being used by the managers of the mining industry for decision making. The application of GIS in mining focuses on four major technical areas that is :

Managers can benefit from GIS’s capabilities in tracking land leases, acquisitions, royalties, and mine expansions.

The GIS’s link between spatial and attribute data can be used by the exploration manager to access specific information such as assay, geotechnical, cadastral and  environmental data and to prepare contour maps, derive surfaces, grade distribution, soil types, vegetation, cultural, wildlife, slope and aspect and other thematic layers of interest  

In the production area, GIS facilitates the optimal siting of service installations relative to production centers to meet the production parameters.

In mine safety, the areas of potential safety concern are identified utilizing GIS’s proximity analysis. GIS can also be used for finding the shortest route to emergency exits and preparation of maps to facilitate the prompt evacuation of mine personnel.