Over 100 experts to discuss preservation of geo-heritage and rational subsoil use at CIS site

Preservation of geo-heritage and rational subsoil use will be discussed by the participants of the XXIX session of the Intergovernmental Council on Exploration, Use and Protection of Subsoil of the CIS Member States. This was reported to journalists by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Viktor Galanov, BelTA reports.

Belarus assumes the chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Council for Exploration, Use and Protection of Subsoil within the CIS, Viktor Galanov noted. “More than 100 experts from seven countries gathered in Minsk. For Belarus, this is a serious platform for the exchange of experience and the formation of a single agenda in the field of geology, he said.

Over the almost 30-year history of the Intergovernmental Council, many practical measures have been implemented. The platform serves as a basis for interaction not only between state bodies and the formation of a unified rule-making practice, but also for communication between experts of specialized enterprises, organizations and businesses working in the field of geological exploration, extraction and use of minerals.

“For most countries, geology is a fundamental area for the development of the real economy and constitutes a significant part of GDP formation. Therefore, the chairmanship of this serious intergovernmental entity is very responsible for Belarus, said Viktor Galanov.

Speaking about practical implementation, the Deputy Minister drew attention to close cooperation with colleagues from the Russian Federation, in which many projects are focused on cross-border cooperation. The main task is to form common approaches in the CIS, so that data obtained in the territory of one state according to a certain methodology can be used in another country.

Viktor Galanov paid special attention to the digitalization of geological exploration activities and the agenda for creating a single map of the mineral resource base of the CIS. “Digital technologies are actively involved in geological exploration. On the sidelines of the session, the topic of creating a single picture of the mineral resource base of the Commonwealth will be discussed. Borders are only a superficial perception of the state, nature has no boundaries. Therefore, it is very important for us to form common approaches and unified maps: sometimes deposits are formed on the territory of one state and move to the territory of neighboring ones, the deputy minister explained.

The geological knowledge of one country can become the basis for the continuation of the relevant search in the territory and in the interests of another state. When we plan trial drilling, setting up work on certain minerals, we can safely rely on the data that our colleagues have. Geological exploration is a fundamental part of the development of the mineral resource base of any state, said Viktor Galanov and added that today a clear working format and effective interaction on the transmission of such information have been established between the partner countries.

Heads of relevant ministries, leading scientists and key experts of the geological industry of Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will sit at the negotiating table.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus.