IMA Commissions

The scientific work of the IMA is carried out by the IMA Commissions. The Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclatures and Classification is the world’s primary authority on mineral names and nomenclature (such as the naming of mineral groups). All proposed new minerals have to be approved by this Commission prior to publication.

The other IMA Commissions serve to bring together scientists to coordinate activities and to develop common standards in various sub-disciplines of mineralogy. The Commissions are governed by article 12 of the Constitution and By-Laws. New Commissions are first created as Working Groups which can be converted into Commissions by the Business Meeting of the IMA.

If you are interested in serving on a commission, please contact the secretary of the commission via the links provided in the web pages of each commissions:
There are currently six IMA commissions:

IMA Working Groups

Working groups address new and emerging topics in mineralogy that are not the subject of an IMA Commission. Working groups are the first step in creating a Commission of the IMA, although it is not necessary for a working group to evolve into a Commission.

Working groups may be proposed by Council or by groups of individuals. Their formation and operation are governed by article 13 of the constitution and bylaws. To create a working group, a chair, vice-chair, and secretary must be proposed to Council and approved by a Business Meeting. These officers may then invite others to join the Working Group. They should aim to build a nucleus of enthusiastic experts in the field of the Working Group, while endeavouring to maintain as wide an international membership as possible. The lifetime of a Working Group is initially 4 years and may be extended by the Business Meeting. 

At the Business Meeting at IMA 2022 in Lyon three new IMA working groups were created, reflecting the emergence of new fields in mineralogy.

Active working groups:

Former working group: