Some world-class national geological survey institutions attach great importance to overseas geological work. This is because geological phenomena are borderless, and so is geological work. On the one hand, overseas work can deepen the understanding of China's geological background and resource potential, on the other hand, it can improve the international competitiveness and influence of geological survey institutions as a whole, thus improving the overall social welfare, on the other hand, it can promote domestic enterprises to carry out corresponding commercial activities abroad, including mineral exploration and development abroad. Geological survey institutions in many countries regard whether and how to carry out and what kind of overseas geological work to carry out as the key indicators of core competitiveness.
Typical countries are the United States, Britain and Japan. Some relatively small geological survey institutions in Europe have also carried out a lot of overseas geological work, the main purpose of which is to provide the country with comprehensive competitiveness. Some developing countries have also strengthened overseas geological work, such as India and Brazil. The focus of overseas geological work in these developing countries is often not to improve global competitiveness, but to improve regional influence.
At present, USGS's overseas geological work has been transformed, focusing on some global projects that can play an international leading role, and the overall work has also shifted from supply-driven to demand-driven, from mineral investigation and evaluation to environment and water. However, in the history of the US Geological Survey, a lot of overseas geological work with the investigation and evaluation of overseas mineral resources as an important content has been carried out. In fact, their overseas geological work at this stage of development is more meaningful to us. The National Research Council of the United States systematically evaluated the three historical roles of American geoscience in the world: one is to formulate national foreign policy, the other is to safeguard national economic rights and interests, and the third is to safeguard national scientific rights and interests. The Committee's research report finally draws three conclusions: first, it is necessary to strengthen international geoscience work to support the national interests of the United States; Second, when formulating American foreign policy, geologists and their geoscience knowledge need to be used more effectively; Third, by increasing the participation of American geologists in American international projects, the economic and scientific interests of the United States can be further strengthened.
Britain attaches great importance to overseas geological surveys. At present, the British Geological Survey is engaged in geological surveys in more than 100 countries and has carried out a number of geoscience plans, with the objectives of sustainable development of resources, protection of human and natural environment, sustainable livelihood, quality of life and poverty alleviation. These activities, including technical cooperation and assistance projects in developing countries, are mainly funded by DFID. At the same time, they also cooperate with and receive financial support from various international organizations, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. The British Geological Survey often cooperates with British companies and universities when carrying out overseas geological work. The British Geological Survey also undertakes contract projects from other aid agencies, private companies and governments around the world, and sometimes directly accepts projects entrusted by the host government. The British Geological Survey has accumulated geological data and data information of more than 0/00 countries in the world. Recently, its work has focused on Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Some of them are long-term projects, including helping host countries to strengthen capacity-building and institution-building in earth sciences. Geological mapping plans, national geoscience plans and GIS geoscience databases in many countries are designed and implemented by the British Geological Survey.
Japan is still investigating and evaluating overseas mineral resources. The key points are: first, the investigation and evaluation of overseas mineral resources conducted by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals Corporation; Second, the overseas geological work focused on environmental cooperation carried out by Japan Geological Survey.
(2) The overseas geological work contents of different national geological survey institutions are different, and the overseas geological work contents of the same geological survey institution in different historical stages are also different.
Different national geological survey institutions have different overseas geological work contents; The contents of overseas geological work carried out by geological survey institutions in the same country at different historical stages are also different. For example, before the First World War, the overseas geological survey work of the US Geological Survey mainly focused on geological mapping in its neighboring countries; From World War I to World War II, it lasted until 1970s, with emphasis on global geological survey and mineral survey and evaluation. From the 1970s to the mid-1990s, its overseas geological work focused on environmental geological investigation and evaluation, and at the same time, it carried out basic and mineral geological investigations. Since 1990s, the focus of work has shifted to the investigation of major global geological and environmental problems, which requires the joint efforts of global multidisciplinary experts, and the US Geological Survey tries to play a core and leading role in it.
1. Resources-oriented overseas geological work
Typical representatives are the Geological Survey of Japan and the United States during the First World War.
The main characteristics of Japan's exploration and development of overseas mineral resources are as follows: setting up specialized institutions, including "petroleum legal person" and "metal mining legal person", vigorously promoting the "technical assistance/economic assistance and cooperation plan", establishing a global mineral resources information network, and providing all-round support for enterprises' transnational mining operations. In order to promote the exploration and development of overseas mineral resources, Japan has established a metal mining enterprise group (1963) and an oil legal person group (1967). These quasi-government agencies directly or indirectly participate in the exploration and development of mineral resources outside Japan, especially providing all-round support for Japanese enterprises' transnational mining operations. Mainly includes: First, establish a global mineral resources information network. At present, Nippon Metal Corporation has offices in 1 1 countries around the world (each office is also responsible for the resource information of neighboring countries) to collect and analyze the resource information of countries around the world. In particular, information on the potential of resource countries and mining investment environment, information on important exploration and development projects, tracking of international mining trends, dynamic analysis of multinational mining companies, market conditions of mining rights and mineral products. Second, reduce the risk of overseas exploration and development of enterprises through technical cooperation and economic assistance/cooperation. As a part of the Japanese government's "government assistance plan", Japanese metal mining companies have carried out technical cooperation projects in mineral exploration and regional survey of mineral resources in recipient countries in order to understand and master the resources of other countries and provide help for domestic enterprises to participate in overseas mineral resources development. The third is to carry out basic geological survey overseas, undertake the risks in the early stage of the project, and guide enterprises to choose the site. There are two ways for Japan to carry out basic geological survey abroad: one way is called "overseas geological survey", which is completely carried out by Japanese metal mining companies with Japanese government money; The other way is called "overseas joint geological survey", which is jointly conducted by Japanese metal mining companies and resource countries and funded by the Japanese government. This is equivalent to the risk of engaging in preliminary exploration abroad being entirely borne by the Japanese government. Japanese companies will apply for mining rights after finding a mine or delineating a distant scenic spot.
The US Geological Survey has also done a lot of work in this area. During and after World War I, the global competition for mineral resources became an important factor in world politics and American diplomatic relations. During this period, the American government hired three outstanding geologists (C.K.Leith, G.O.Smith and J.E.Spurr) as government consultants. The suggestions put forward by these three geologists have made outstanding contributions to the formulation and implementation of American foreign policy and mineral policy. During World War I and World War II, especially in the League of Nations (predecessor of the United Nations), three geoscientists played an outstanding role and contributed to the establishment of 1928 National Mineral Advisory Committee. With the approach of World War II, geologists put forward suggestions to prevent the interruption of mineral supply, so the United States established a strategic mineral reserve in 1939, and in 1942, the then Bureau of Economic Welfare funded a plan to buy minerals from Latin America and encourage the development of mining in Latin America. In these activities, American geologists go to resource countries as government consultants, members of the Latin American Procurement Committee or representatives of the US government. America's concern for Latin American mineral production and supply has led American geologists to carry out overseas geological work on a large scale for the first time through the Inter-departmental Scientific and Cultural Cooperation Committee (ICSCC) established by 1938. American geologists began to investigate and evaluate minerals in Latin American countries, including the location of strategic minerals. During the Second World War, the Economic Welfare Bureau and its renamed Foreign Economic Management Bureau also provided a large amount of funds. During this period, the US Geological Survey organized more than 60 senior geologists to investigate and evaluate minerals in 16 Latin American countries. In addition, the government has appointed a large number of geologists to conduct topographic analysis, engineering research and hydrological investigation in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Western Pacific to support realistic and potential military purposes. This led the US Geological Survey to set up the Military Geological Branch to support the strategic planning of the US military department.
2. Environmental-oriented overseas geological work
The typical representative is the work of the British Geological Survey. Geological and mineral surveys are no longer the focus of the international cooperation business of the British Geological Survey, and they are now more concerned about the environment and quality of life. First of all, the British Geological Survey plays an outstanding leading role in global regional geochemical mapping and environmental research. One is environmental geochemistry. At present, the British Geological Survey is carrying out regional geochemical mapping in Bolivia, Kenya, Mexico, Solomon Islands, Sumatra and Swaziland. Study on the relationship between trace element imbalance and animal health in Zimbabwe: environmental impact assessment of coal-fired power stations in China and India: coupled geochemical simulation and mapping of Zimbabwe and Uganda; Environmental impact assessment of mining and mineral processing in Malaysia, Thailand, Zimbabwe and Ecuador, focusing on the geochemistry of arsenic and mercury; Environmental impact of placer tin mining in Southeast Asia: in Kenya, Tanzania and Brazil, the flow of pollutants on land and sea was studied; In the Philippines and Ecuador, study methods to reduce the harm of mercury pollution related to mining; In China and Sri Lanka, the prediction and recovery of human selenium imbalance were studied. Studying silicosis in Uganda; In Thailand and Argentina, the health threats and geochemical solutions of environmental arsenic exposure were studied. The second is the study of arsenic pollution in groundwater. In recent eight years, the British Geological Survey has carried out research in this field in Bangladesh, Ghana and other countries. Third, regional geochemical mapping of Morocco 1∶65438+ 10,000. Through long-term international cooperation, the British Geological Survey has collected geochemical data of most countries and regions in the world. Accordingly, the British Geological Survey established an international geochemical data warehouse, including all the data since 1965. Regional geochemical databases of major countries in the world have also been established. Second, the British Geological Survey has played a prominent role in international cooperation in hydrogeology. The third is the field of engineering geology.
Recently, the British government has set up a special project, namely the Knowledge and Research Project (KAR), which is funded by the British Agency for International Development and managed by the British Department of Infrastructure and Urban Development (IUDD). Its purpose is to enhance Britain's influence in the world, including energy, applied geoscience, information and communication technology, transportation, urbanization and water supply, among which the geoscience project is mainly implemented by the British Geological Survey. This is one of the important contents of the British overseas strategy (the British government's white paper on international development). The new strategy requires the British Geological Survey to implement projects: promoting the construction of a global engineering knowledge base that meets the requirements of the British Agency for International Development (DFID); Promote the construction of an information base that can strengthen North-South relations; Promote the dissemination of engineering information and knowledge; Be innovative. The international geoscience project includes five themes. First, promote the development of environment-friendly mineral resources. Including two subprojects, namely, promoting the effective development of small-scale mines/artisanal mining (including how small-scale mines cooperate with large-scale mining enterprises, child labor and women's issues, etc.). ); Promote the sustainable development of mining industry. The second is to improve the strategy of reducing geological and geotechnical disasters when formulating development plans. Third, strengthen the understanding of wastes and toxic substances produced by mineral exploitation and their environmental health impact on geological resources development, and formulate strategies and technologies (geochemical disasters) that conform to the principle of cost-effectiveness for developing countries to reduce environmental impact. The fourth is to strengthen the research on the engineering properties of geological materials in developing countries and popularize their engineering and environmental applications (building materials). Fifth, formulate strategies and systems to maintain and strengthen the national geoscience information service.
3. Scientific overseas geological work
Many world-class geological survey institutions are currently carrying out overseas geological work guided by science, occupying a leading position in major international projects and playing a leading role in the world, thus improving the overall competitiveness of the country. For example, the Geological Survey of Japan has carried out international cooperative research projects with other countries. Some recent highlights include: cooperating with the Ministry of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam to study the comprehensive evaluation of sea level rise; Cooperate with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the University of the Philippines to conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental management, planning and risk exchange in the gold rush area; Cooperate with the US Geological Survey to study ways to mitigate earthquake disasters and quantify the possibility of future earthquakes; Cooperate with the US Geological Survey to study the metallogenic system in Northeast Asia; Wait a minute. The Planning and Coordination Office of Japan Geological Survey is responsible for relevant international activities. Key points include: participating in international organizations, such as Coordinating Committee of Southeast Asia Geoscience Program (CCOP), International Geological Survey Union (ICOGS) and World Geological Map Committee (CGMW); Support the construction of geoscience information network. Cooperation with other international organizations includes: International Science and Technology Center, UN ESCAP, South Asia Applied Geoscience Commission, International Continental Scientific Drilling Program, Community and Small-scale Mining, IGCP, etc.
These three types of overseas geological work have no essential boundaries and are often interrelated. For example, the Global Mineral Resources Evaluation Plan recently launched by the US Geological Survey is not only a science-oriented overseas geological work, but also a resource-oriented overseas geological work. The US Geological Survey is carrying out an international cooperation project to assess the potential of undiscovered non-fuel mineral resources in the world. The Global Mineral Resources Assessment Program (GMRAP) will study and test the methods used to assess the potential of undiscovered mineral resources in the world. The main goal of this project is to determine the global potential distribution area of some undiscovered mineral resources and determine the potential quantity of these undiscovered mineral resources within the depth of 1km. At present, more than 70 chemical elements have been found in 100 deposit types. The first batch of minerals that the global mineral resources assessment plan focuses on are copper, platinum group elements and potassium salt resources, and the second batch of minerals considered in the assessment are lead, zinc, nickel, gold and phosphate rock. For copper resources, the porphyry copper deposits, which account for 80% of the global copper resources, and the copper deposits with sedimentary rocks as ore-hosting rocks are emphatically evaluated. Platinum group metals include platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru) and rhodium (Rh). Platinum group metals are famous for their special precious properties and rare resources, and are called "precious metals" together with gold and silver. The supply of platinum group metals is relatively scarce, which has important economic value and environmental protection significance, and also occupies an important position in high-tech industries. This is also the reason why the US Geological Survey gives priority to the investigation and evaluation of platinum group metals. Potash fertilizer has a certain relationship with food security. More than 80% of potash in the United States is imported, which is why the United States Geological Survey chose potash in the first batch of minerals investigated and evaluated. Under the current global economic conditions, a country's economic security depends on whether the supply of mineral resources from various sources is sufficient. Although there will be no shortage of non-fuel mineral resources in the near future, with the acceleration of industrialization in developing countries, the demand for mineral resources will increase greatly. However, the discovery and development of global mineral resources are becoming more and more difficult, and the land use conflict is becoming more and more serious, which is the background and basis for the US Geological Survey to carry out the "Global Mineral Resources Evaluation Plan" project. The objectives of "Global Mineral Resources Assessment Plan" (GMRAP) are: ① to make a continuous and comprehensive analysis of global non-fuel mineral resources according to the latest available data; (2) Study, put forward and constantly improve the methods of conducting large-scale regional investigation and evaluation; (3) Research and put forward new models and forecasting tools for analyzing global mineral resources evaluation, and apply the analysis results to solve problems related to sustainable resource development and environmental management; (4) Combining the study of metallogeny with the analysis of geotectonics to promote the understanding and understanding of the genesis and evolution of metallogenic system; ⑤ Promote international cooperation in the field of global mineral resources investigation and evaluation by strengthening cooperation among governments, non-governmental organizations and mining industry. Organization of the Global Mineral Resources Assessment Program (GMRAP) of the US Geological Survey: First, it is organized according to the types of mineral products; The second is organized by geographical area. To this end, the US Geological Survey has signed relevant research cooperation agreements with geological survey institutions in many countries, including China Geological Survey.
(3) Many countries set up specialized institutions to carry out overseas geological work.
1. Overseas geological work carried out by professional departments of geological survey institutions
Both the British Geological Survey and the US Geological Survey have the function of conducting overseas geological surveys, and this function is stipulated in the form of laws or regulations.
The British Geological Survey is the oldest geological survey in the world, established in 1835, and Britain attaches great importance to overseas geological surveys. 1893, Imperial Research Institute was established, and its mineral resources department specializes in scientific investigation based on foreign geological survey; 1947 Cancel the Imperial Institute and set up a special "General Bureau of Colonial Geological Survey" to carry out geological surveys in Commonwealth countries and other countries; 1957, the scope was further expanded, and the General Administration of Colonial Geological Survey was renamed as "Overseas Geological Survey" to carry out geological surveys in more countries. 1965, at the request of the times, the Overseas Geological Survey and the British Geological Survey merged to form the Geological Research Institute, which is now the British Geological Survey. There is an international business department in the Geological Survey, which is responsible for the establishment, implementation and management of overseas geological projects of the Geological Survey, with emphasis on international aid projects. The international business department consists of several experienced regional geoscience managers and coordinators (organized by region, such as Latin America and Caribbean project manager, Southern Africa project manager, Asia, Middle East and Europe project manager, French-speaking Africa project manager, etc.). These experts have the ability to organize experts in geosciences and related disciplines within the British Geological Survey, and when necessary, they can organize experts from other institutions and companies to work together.
2. The permanent project team of geological survey institutions is responsible for overseas geological work.
In nature, such institutions are equivalent to specialized departments of geological survey institutions. Compared with specialized departments (such as the Overseas Business Department of the National Geological Survey or the International Cooperation Department), it is more flexible to carry out overseas geological work through the permanent project team, which can mobilize the strength of more departments and make the operation mechanism more flexible. The Russian Overseas Geological Research Institute is also such an institution.
3. Quasi-government agencies responsible for overseas geological work.
A typical example is Japan's metal mining enterprise group. JOGMEC was established in 2004 (as of March 3, 2007, the share capital was187.9 billion yen, and the annual budget for 2007 was1500 million yen), which was formed by the merger of the former Japanese oil company and the Japanese metal mining company. Its main function is to provide financial assistance to Japanese private companies to carry out overseas exploration, production and storage of oil, natural gas and metal minerals, and provide necessary technical assistance for effectively carrying out these activities, while systematically collecting, analyzing and distributing information about global energy and natural resources to Japanese companies. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals Company pays attention to strengthening cooperation with resource countries through joint geological surveys, technical cooperation, training programs and other activities.
The Metal Strategy and Exploration Department of Japan Oil, Gas and Metals Company supports the overseas mining business of Japanese private companies. The services provided include overseas geological survey, deposit research, exploration and evaluation, with emphasis on satellite image analysis, geological survey and geophysical survey of potential metallogenic areas (its specialty is SQUID-TEM). The main purpose of funds provided by the Japanese government through its oil, gas and metals business group is to reduce the risk of Japanese companies exploring mineral resources abroad, especially in the early exploration stage.
The general process of overseas oil and gas geological survey and exploration is that JOGMEC conducts overseas geological survey and geophysical survey (the expenses shall be borne by the Japanese government) to evaluate the oil and gas potential, so as to reduce the risks of Japanese oil companies, strengthen ties with oil resource countries, and help Japanese companies obtain oil and gas exploration and development rights, and then Japanese companies conduct exploration and development. After completing the geological survey, JOGMEC handed over a set of data and technical reports to the host country and the Japanese government and company. JOGMEC also carries out indoor work (including exploration potential analysis, development and production plan and cost analysis) to help Japanese oil companies find new overseas investment opportunities.
In addition to oil, natural gas and metals, Japan has also strengthened its overseas coal geological work through the Japan Coal Energy Center (Jocoal) established by 1997. In fact, the overseas geological survey of Japanese coal has been carried out in Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, China and other countries since 1982.
(d) Many countries allocate special funds for overseas geological work.
1. Combining foreign geological work with foreign development assistance
In Britain, the United States and Japan, including Canada and many other countries, overseas geological work is closely combined with foreign development assistance. For example, one of the measures taken by the United States to implement the global resource strategy is to export mining capital in the name of technical assistance and economic cooperation, and strengthen capital and technical control over global mineral resources. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) explicitly entrusted the United States Geological Survey, which was established as early as 1879, to evaluate the mineral resources of countries whose proven mineral resources can lead multinational mining companies to invest. The State Council claims to use geological survey as a tool to carry out foreign policy. The State Council asked the Ministry of the Interior to provide mineral resources training for diplomats sent abroad. After the Second World War, the "International Geological Plan" promoted by the American government is to use its own advantages in geological exploration technology to obtain the mineral resources information of recipient countries on the condition of "assistance" and choose targets for their overseas investment and mineral products trade. During the implementation of the International Geological Plan, porphyry copper mines in Colombia, Pakistan and Thailand, lead-zinc mines in Colombia and potash mines in Thailand were discovered. In Brazil, Philippines, India and Pakistan, the resources of chromium, manganese, nickel and iron in these countries were evaluated in detail by using various advanced technologies. With the assistance of regional geological mapping in Saudi Arabia, its position in Saudi oil industry has been strengthened.
DFID provides "development assistance" to developing countries, aiming at spreading knowledge and meeting the "North-South information demand" in the North-South dialogue. The DFID project mainly includes six areas, namely energy, earth science, information and communication technology, transportation, urbanization and water supply. In earth science, DFID mainly relies on the British Geological Survey to perform its functions. Both DFID and British Geological Survey belong to the British Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). One of the main functions of DTI is product research and market research, with the aim of creating an open, transparent and effective international market. Obviously, this is to serve the market access of its enterprises. Britain's development assistance mainly provides official assistance (ODA) through the Overseas Development Agency (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), with recipient countries 135. However, with the process of globalization and the improvement of market access of developing countries, Britain has cut its ODA quota.
2 overseas geological work based on bilateral or multilateral cooperation
According to bilateral or multilateral cooperation plans and the requirements of recipient countries, overseas geological work is carried out.
3. Overseas geological work funds are included in the regular budget.
This is the most common type.
4. Overseas geological work carried out with special funds
The main example is Japan. Japan has established overseas mineral resources risk exploration and development fund, including 19 overseas mineral exploration and development assistance projects, including: joint risk exploration in the early stage; Overseas geological survey; Overseas joint geological survey; F/S survey and improve the infrastructure around the mine; Exploration financing; Equity merger and acquisition financing; Providing financing for overseas mining companies and mine construction; Direct investment; Help foreign mining companies to raise funds; Debt guarantee of private enterprises; Providing creditors with insurance for Japanese enterprise credit projects (including comprehensive insurance for resources and energy); Overseas investment insurance (including comprehensive insurance for resources and energy); Special deduction of overseas exploration reserve (tax support); Research on rare metal smelting and recovery technology: technical support in the field; Overseas development plan survey and technical cooperation (entrusted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, also known as overseas plan survey); Group training of JICA; Technical cooperation projects (sending experts and individuals to conduct research); Risk reserve for overseas investment (loss reserve).
(E) China needs to innovate the management system and operation mechanism of overseas geological work.
It is an objective choice and the only way for China to establish a world-class geological survey, strengthen all-round international cooperation and form a new pattern of international cooperation in geological survey. Suggestion:
(1) Formulate the Regulations on Overseas Geological Survey, or incorporate the contents of overseas geological work into the Regulations on Geological Survey to be studied and formulated. In this way, overseas mineral exploration will have more reliable legal protection and clear policy support.
(2) Establish an overseas geological research institute (or an international geological research institute) to be responsible for overseas geological work and the implementation of relevant global resource strategies.
(3) Coordinate and communicate with relevant departments to ensure the source of funds for overseas geological work. First, it is suggested that the Ministry of Commerce increase the scale of foreign aid funds and increase the proportion of overseas geological work. The second is to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance to set up regular overseas geological work projects and include them in the regular budget expenditure. Third, cooperate with development banks and other institutions to diversify the sources of funds for overseas geological work.
(4) Making overseas geological work plans, connecting with resource diplomacy, and defining the regional and mineral priorities of overseas geological work.
(five) to strengthen cooperation with mining companies engaged in overseas resources exploration and development, and effectively link the national overseas geological work with the overseas risk exploration carried out by mining companies.