Egyptian geological survey authority leaders joined their counterparts from throughout the BRICS alliance in calling for the establishment of a united geological platform for exchanging expertise, technological updates, and knowledge.

This proposal was presented by the head of the Russian Federal Mining Agency, Yevgeny Petrov, during the first meeting for the geological survey authorities of BRICS countries between 15 to 17 July in Moscow.

That meeting was attended by the chairmen of the geological survey authorities of Russia, Egypt (through video conference), South Africa, China, India, UAE, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Iran.

This platform will positively impact the sustainable management of mining resources and meet the growing demand for mineral exploration and extraction.

The main structure of the platform includes a coordination council, joint project committee, technology transfer board, working group on basic minerals, expert group, and target agency structures.

The future cooperation prospects also include:

• Geological exploration

• Regional geological studies

• Strategic minerals

This will be completed using the scientific and technological developments in the digitalization field.

The parties discussed work on the supply and processing of complementary resources, and a proposal to form a joint map of mineral reserves held by all member states.

It is also worth noting that the authority is in the process of signing a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Egyptian and Russian sides that includes many programs for knowledge and technological exchange and raising the efficiency of workers in the sector, based on the Ministry’s vision of localizing new mining technology, and the growing interest in strategic minerals and the low-carbon economy model, which will lead to a major transformation in mining industry policies.

Egypt Oil&Gas