Partners
American Geosciences Institute (AGI) / USA
The American Geosciences Institute is a U.S.-based non-profit organization which is a federation of 50 geoscience societies representing over 250,000 geoscientists in the U.S. AGI’s main roles are in strengthening the geosciences through fostering cooperation between universities, industry, government, and its member societies in support of K-12 education, national and international policy issues, pan-geoscience research support references such as GeoRef, and a long history of measuring and supporting the development of human resources in all geosciences enterprises. AGI has a long history of fostering communication between industry, academia, and government on geosciences issues. In addition, AGI’s Geoscience Policy program is actively engaged in all aspects of the interface of government and the geosciences, while the Workforce Program has an active data collection and research program on human capital dynamics globally in the geosciences. At the institutional level, AGI has played a key role in geosciences international organizations, both as a member of the US Commission to UNESCO, active leadership roles in IUGS, and partnerships with numerous national geological surveys in regards to geosciences information sharing.
Contact person: Christopher Keane
American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) / USA
The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), founded in 1963, is the largest association dedicated to promoting geology as a profession. It presently has more than 7,800 members in the U.S. and abroad, organized into 36 regional Sections. The Institute adheres to the principles of professional responsibility and public service and is the only international organization that certifies the competence and ethical conduct of geological scientists in all branches of the science with members employed in industry, government, and academia. AIPG emphasizes competence, integrity and ethics. AIPG is an advocate for the profession and communicates regularly to federal and state legislators and agencies on matters pertaining to the geosciences.
Contact person: Aaron Johnson awj@aipg.org
Associação Portuguesa dos Industriais de Mármores, Granitos e Ramos Afins (Assimagra) / Portugal
ASSIMAGRA – Portuguese Association of Mineral Resources is a not-for profit industry association, founded in 1964, which has limited its activity in close harmony with its mission to “promote and strengthen permanent Portuguese mineral resources, with a view to expanding its economic, social and cultural recognition, founded on principles and values that always promote its sustainability and balance in the environment in which it acts.” The strategy implemented by ASSIMAGRA is based on the quest for sustainability and transformation of the mining industry in Portugal.
Contact Person: Nelson Cristo
European Federation of Geologists (EFG) / Belgium
The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) is a not-for-profit professional geoscience organisation focused on the promotion of excellence in the application of geology, in raising public awareness of the importance of geosciences for society and in the setting and international benchmarking of professional standards and qualifications for geoscientists. EFG is based in Brussels, was established in 1981 and includes today 24 national association members. Professional geologists, from the EFG national association members, contribute their expertise in education, research and applied practice in industry and for governments in a wide range of activities that are vital to society and to protection of the public. EFG has strong and longstanding international relationships with other professional geoscience and related organisations.
Contact: Marko Komac
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. (Fraunhofer) / Germany
Fraunhofer IAO (the Fraunhofer-Institute for Industrial Engineering) is one of 56 institutes comprising the Fraunhofer Society – a major European research organisation, represented on other continents too. Along with research activities in numerous EU projects, FHG IAO also provides consultancy services industrial companies of a range of sizes, from different branches, supporting them with know-how in analyzing and redesigning business processes and in the introduction and application of strategic information technologies and management methodologies. One of the focus areas is the improvement of construction processes and the management of technologies and R&D in the construction industry. This includes advances in manufacturing and off- and on-site assembly of industrially pre-fabricated modules and components. Within this context, the IAO is involved in more than 400 international and local research and consultancy projects per annum. Fraunhofer IAO has leading expertise in numerous fields, including industrial engineering, information and communication technology, product development and innovation and industrial R&D- and technology management, business model and manufacturing planning – to mention just few of them which are most relevant to the scope of this project.
Contact Person: Sven Schimpf
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) / Portugal
The Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Foundation for Science and Technology) is the Portuguese national research funding agency for science, research and technology in all scientific domains, responsible for following and implementing bilateral and multilateral international science and technology cooperation agreements. FCT is a public autonomous institute under the aegis of the Ministry of Education and Science. FCT´s mission is the continuous promotion of the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge in Portugal, exploring opportunities that become available in any scientific or technological domain to attain the highest international standards in the creation of knowledge, and to stimulate their diffusion and contribution to improve education, health, environment, and the quality of life and well-being of the general public. Funding is structured around the following schemes:
- promotion of training and career development (fellowships, scholarships, mainly for PhD, Post-doc and PhD in industry);
- support of centres of excellence (associated laboratories) and research centres (institutional funding);
- support to infrastructures, promotion and development of scientific activities (collaborative research projects); and v) diffusion of scientific culture. FCT also provides the institutional framework for the Research Councils.
Contact Person: Dina Carrilho
Geological Survey of Slovenia / Slovenia
The Geological Survey of Slovenia provides information about the geological setting and natural resources of Slovenia and participates in the development of knowledge about past and present processes taking place in the Earth’s crust. GeoZS collects, stores, and disseminates data about the geology of Slovenia and through international cooperation with its partners abroad extends its activities over the Slovenian borders.
The experts of the GeoZS are involved in the research, expertise and development within the frame of public services for the Slovenian government and the EU. GeoZS gives expert support and advice for geosciences related applied projects. We actively cooperate with Slovenian universities in pre- and postgraduate educational programs.
Contact Person: Gorazd Žibret
La Palma Research S.L. (LPRC) / Spain
The La Palma Research Centre S.L. is an independent, internationally active geoscience think-tank headquartered in Spain. LPRC works in the intersection of minerals, ICT and public awareness raising related to geosciences. With the help of technology foresights the Centre assesses the long-term future of converging technologies with the aim to identify the emerging innovations that are likely to produce the greatest economic and social benefits.
Contact Person: Balazs Sandor Bodo
Official Spanish Association of Professional Geologists (ICOG) / Spain
The Official Spanish Association of Professional Geologists (Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Geologos) was established in 1978. Its basic aims are the management, within its competence, of the activity or practice of the profession of geology; and the exclusive representation and advocacy of professional geologists. ICOG organise a general assembly and conference annually and workshops occasionally; regularly prepare documents for national authorities in order to promote the recognition of the profession.
Contact person: Manuel Regueiro
Pan-European Reserves & Resources Reporting Committee (PERC) / Belgium
Voluntary organisation composed of individual professional geologists and engineers nominated by its parent organisations: the European Federation of Geologists (Belgium), the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining (UK), the Geological Society of London (UK), and the Institute of Geologists of Ireland (Republic of Ireland). Includes also co-opted members with similar professional backgrounds, representing different industry, academic, and government sectors relevant to the mining industry. The primary purpose of PERC is the establishment, maintenance, and promotion of standards for public reporting of mineral resources and reserves. Promotional activities include communication through presentation of papers at conferences and in journals; and training and awareness raising activities for mining companies, professional geoscientists and engineers and for market regulators. PERC is the National Reporting Organisation for Europe within the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO www.crirsco.com). Within CRIRSCO, PERC has taken the lead on mapping the CRIRSCO template to the Russian system for solid mineral reserves and resources reporting (still in common use in Member States in the east of Europe) and authoring a conversion guide. PERC members, with others from CRIRSCO, also have significant experience working with UNECE on the development and benchmarking of the UN Framework Classification for solid minerals and have been responsible for ensuring that the CRIRSCO definitions relating to solid minerals with reasonable prospects of economic recovery (required by stock market regulators) are aligned with the equivalent categories within the UNFC (which also includes prospective deposits).
Responsible Minerals Initiative / USA
With more than 400 member companies, the Responsible Minerals Initiative is one of the most utilized and respected resources for companies from a range of industries addressing responsible mineral sourcing issues in their supply chains. The Initiative provides companies with tools and resources to make sourcing decisions that improve regulatory compliance and support responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
Resources Computing International Ltd. (RCI) / United Kingdom
RCI is a private SME undertaking consultancy, research and development, in the field of mineral resources exploration and estimation. This company has traded for over 20 years, and its clients have included other consulting groups as well as large and small mining companies, for whom it has carried out ‘due diligence’ projects as well as participating in ‘competent person’ projects in preparation to the clients’ stock exchange listings. RCI has also acted as independent geological adviser to the board of a large Russian gold producing company. Other work has included the development and management of web sites for a range of different clients, including The Mining Journal, professional organisations, and educational charities. RCI operates through its own principals as well as sub-contracting to associate consultants on a project-by-project basis.
Contact person: Stephen Henley