He was awarded £200 by the British government in 1845 for his researches. Devoting his spare time to geological studies, Bain prepared in 1852 the first comprehensive geological map of South Africa, a work of great merit, which was published by the Geological Society of London in 1856. Sir Roderick Murchison and Sir Henry de la Beche, prominent geologists of the time, both recommended Bain's appointment as Cape Geological Surveyor in 1852, but since no funds were available, nothing came of it. Bain went to Namaqualand in 1854 and reported to the Government on the copper mines there.
he was AwarDEd £200 by tHE briTish goVeRNment iN 1845 FoR HiS researchES. devOtinG his Spare tiMe to geolOgIcAl stUdieS, BAIN PRepared in 1852 the FirsT coMprEheNsive geologicaL Map OF south africa, a WOrk of gReat Merit, wHich WaS publishEd by the geOLogIcAl SoCietY Of lOndoN iN 1856. sIr roDEriCK muRchisON and siR henRy De la bechE, proMinent gEolOgiSts Of thE time, boTh RecommEnDed baiN's appoIntMEnt As cape gEoLogicAl sURVEyOr in 1852, bUt Since No FUNDs were avAilablE, NoThiNG came oF it. BaIn went tO nAMaqualanD iN 1854 anD REportEd to thE goVeRNMEnT on ThE copper mines tHEre.