BRICS to establish joint geological platform

The BRICS countries have agreed to establish a joint geological platform aimed at enhancing mineral resources management and exploration. This landmark agreement was reached during the first meeting of BRICS geological survey agency heads, which took place from July 15 to 17 in Moscow.

The initiative, proposed by Evgeny Petrov, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Mining, received support from representatives of Russia, Egypt (via video conference), South Africa, China, India, the UAE, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Iran.

The new platform is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, technological advancement, and collaborative events, thereby addressing the growing demand for mineral exploration and sustainable resource management. Moreover, it will include a Coordinating Council, a Joint Projects Committee, a Technology Transfer Board, and several specialised working groups.

Looking ahead, future co-operation will focus on geological exploration, regional studies, and strategic minerals, with a particular emphasis on advancements in geology digitization.

Furthermore, the agencies will collaborate on creating a joint map of mineral reserves. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Egypt and Russia is expected to be signed soon, to promote knowledge and technology exchange in the sector.