The Geological Survey Branch of the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy began systematic production of standard geological map sheets in 1949. This work continues and is an important contribution to the development of the mineral, energy and water resources of the State. Base maps at a number of scales are prepared in the Map Compilation Section and regional geological mapping is carried out by various sections of the Survey and, in particular, the Regional Geology Division, which also co-ordinates the mapping programme. Using the recommended mapping procedure, the geologist records data on the central part of alternate air photos. These are commonly at scales of 1:15 000 to 1:80 000. Black ink is used for field information and red for office interpretation. Most field notes are written on the back of each air photo. After the completion of field mapping and air photo interpretation, the annotated photos are returned to the Map Compilation Section for preparation of a preliminary geological map, firstly in the form of six 1:100 000 ? scale sheets, then at 1:250 000 scale. After checking, a colour manuscript map is completed with legend, cross-sections, tectonic sketch map and rock relationship diagram, and is passed to the Map Publication Section for scribing and other cartographic work. Lithography is carried out by the Government Printing Department. Concurrently, the geologist writes a report on the geology of the area; field data are supplemented by the use of colour air photography, Landsat imagery, geophysical surveys, subsurface information, exploration company reports, biostratigraphy, and geochronology and petrology carried out by the Australian Mineral Development Laboratories.