Saturday, September 3, 2011


GEO-Sciences

The Ministry of Mines signed seven Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) from 1st September, 2009 to 31st August, 2011. These are with Namibia (on 31.10.2009), Canada (on 27.06.2010), Ontario Province of Canada (on 08.07.2010), Mozambique (on 30.09.2010), Malawi (on 03.11.2010), Saskatchewan Province of Canada (on 15.03.2011) and Colombia (on 04.05.2010). The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has signed an MoU with Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR) of Argentina on 14.10.2009 for scientific and technical cooperation in earthsciences. GSI has also signed MoU with Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) on 02.03.2011 for technical cooperation.

The MoUs generally provide an institutional mechanism like Joint Working Group or Steering Committee with these countries/Provinces on cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral Resources. Joint Working Group/Steering Committee shall be formed to coordinate the implementation of the areas of cooperation under the MoUs. The composition, agenda, venue and date of the meetings of the Joint Working Group or the Steering Committee are determined by requirements of the countries by mutual consent.

Joint Working Group has been formed with Namibia and its first meeting was held on 27-28 October, 2009. Joint Working Group has been formed with Ontario Province and three meetings held so far. A technical team visited Mozambique in February, 2011 to study the mineral capabilities of that country. Joint Working Group meeting with Malawi and Steering Committee meeting with Canada are scheduled for October, 2011 and November, 2011 respectively. Under the MoU between GSI and SGS, Geological Survey of India Technical Institute has been requested to formulate training module for geoscientists of SGS.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Mines, Shri Dinsha Patel in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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