First Roundtable of the Heads of BRICS Geological Surveys

First Roundtable of the Heads of BRICS Geological Surveys proved to be a strategically important event for all the participants of the international association.

The BRICS countries have an impressive amount of mineral resources to ensure the sustainable development of their economies. In this regard, experts capable of exploring and extracting minerals and ensuring the increment of country's mineral resource are of great importance.

The roundtable was attended by heads of geological surveys from the leading BRICS member countries: South Africa, UAE, China, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Egypt and Brazil. The event discussed a wide range of issues related to further cooperation in geology, the establishment of scientific and technical relations, and the training and skills upgrading of geological specialists.

One of the key events of the roundtable was the presentation of the concept of a unified 'BRICS Geological Platform', which envisages the exchange of knowledge and practical experience, technological development and joint events of the BRICS member countries. The proposal to create the BRICS Geological Platform was made during the roundtable by Evgeny Petrov, Head of Rosnedra.

Through the platform, the geological surveys will be able to develop and implement joint plans and projects. On the basis of the platform, interaction is planned in the geological exploration, regional geological studies and strategic mineral resources. In addition, scientific and technical developments in the digitalisation of geology, the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies and the training of specialists will be discussed.

The roundtable also included important negotiations between the geological surveys of Russia and India, chaired by Evgeny Petrov, Head of Rosnedra, and attended by Dmitry Danilin, Deputy Head of Rosnedra, Pavel Khimchenko, Director General of the Karpinsky Institute, industry's top experts - Rosnedra's Directors, Shri Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines of India, and Shri Pramod Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General of the Geological Survey of India. The participants discussed prospects for further cooperation and the importance of sharing experience and technology in geological exploration and mining. It was noted that each of the countries has its unique resources and technologies that can be extended to the entire BRICS territory. The participants of the meeting expressed their readiness for further cooperation and exchange of information on geological studies and mining. This will ensure sustainable development of the BRICS economies and increase their competitiveness in the world market.