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Highlights from Executive Council Meeting Minutes
The 8th meeting of the MAP Executive Council took place in Vancouver,
Canada from January 26 to 28, 2000. The meetings were attended
by representatives from all four South American MAP countries
as well as from the GSC and CIDA. Some of the highlights include:
Update on Sample Processing
Dr. Catherine Hickson and Dr. Jennifer Getsinger reported on
the status of samples being handled by MAP. It was noted that
the ability of MAP adminstration to effectively handle sample
processing logistics has greatly improved.
MAP Sample Standards
Dr. Getsinger reported that all countries have sent to MAP administration
potential standard rocks. Geochemical analysis has already been
carried out on some samples and initial results were reviewed
at the meetings. More sample choices and larger amounts of sample
from some countries are required for a complete evaluation of
their suitability as petrological standards.
MAP Certificates
Dr. Hickson reported that over 100 certificates for participants
in MAP short courses during the last quarter were ready for the
signature of the Executive Secretary.
Questionnaires
Mike Ellerbeck reported that Ms. Claire Despins who had been
in charge of compiling MAP Questionnaire reports is leaving the
GSC Vancouver office. Ms. Rocio Lopez will take over the task
of compiling and reporting on the Questionnaires. Mr. Ellerbeck
also reported on the status of Questionnaires noting that a number
of questionnaires have still not been completed and that he and
Ms. Lopez would be in contact with the corresponding countries.
Verifiable Indicators
Mr. Ellerbeck also reported on the current status of Verifiable
Indicators. He mentioned that all countries have sent in the
verifiable indicator reports which will be compiled into one
quarterly report to be included in the next project quarterly
report.
Airborne Surveys Update
Dr. Dennis Teskey joined the meeting to update the Council on
the status of the Airborne surveys. Dr. Zappettini reported
that the Chilean - Argentinian survey would proceed with four
companies: Anaconda, Phelps Dodge, BHP and CODELCO. Argentina
will be participating with the purchase of 2 shares. Each of
the participants were requested to pay an additional $12,500US
to ensure that the entire area of the proposed survey could be
flown. Each has agreed, and the contract will be awarded to
SIAL Geosciences Inc.
There are now three companies committed to the Peru - Bolivia
- Chile airborne survey. These are BHP, Phelps Dodge, and Southern
Peru Copper. There are several other companies which have expressed
interest. Two more companies are required before there is sufficient
funding to commence the survey. It was agreed that the likelihood
of finding two additional partners was very good and so a Request
for Proposals has been submitted.
Discussion on Cartographic Standards Committee & Technical
Committee for the Compilation of Metallogenic Map of the border
regions of the MAP countries
Dr. Eduardo Zappettini reported on the results of the meeting
held on Wednesday, January 26. At the meeting there was a representative
from each of the countries and the progress of the map was reviewed
in detail and problem areas discussed. Each country agreed
to have the geology completed according to the agreed upon stratigraphic
column in time to bring the maps to a meeting in Iquique, Chile.
The meeting will be held March 23 - 24 and organized by Chile.
At this meeting it was agreed that the map would be reviewed
by all members of the technical committee to resolve any problems.
In the case of differences in contact relationships between
units it was agreed to use satellite images to help resolve the
problems. Each country is to bring the appropriate images to
the meeting. One day will be spent reviewing the map data and
the second day the data table to accompany the map. The amount
and detail of deposit information is variable between the four
countries. These differences will be discussed at the Iquique
meeting. Digitization of the Argentinian map and Chilean maps
will proceed in Vancouver. Zappettini will come to Vancouver
early in the next fiscal year to complete work on the map with
the assistance of Mr. Rob Cocking. While the geology is being
compiled Cocking will assemble the topographic base with digital
topography sent from each of the countries. Argentina and Peru
had their digital topography available for Cocking and Chile
hopes to have theirs available by late March and Bolivia will
have their digital topography available in three weeks. The
map will be presented at the Andean Special Session of the IGC
held at Puerto Varas, as part of the IX Chilean Geological Congress
and as a poster at the IGC's SEGEMAR MAP booth.
MAP participation at IGC, Rio de Janeiro and Chilean Congress
Dr. Moyra Gardeweg reported that she has had good response from
each of the countries with the exception of Bolivia. It was
explained that there has been a reorganization in Bolivia and
now Ing. Carlos Riera will be the contact person. Two papers
are proposed from Peru, five from Argentina, and seven from Chile.
These will be presented as both oral and poster presentations.
One page summaries are required for poster presentation and
5 page papers for the oral presentation. The papers are required
by Gardeweg no later than March 31, 2000. Hickson asked if the
Council would like to see an overview of MAP presented. There
was also discussion on presenting the petrological standards
program in poster format. The papers are to be reviewed by members
of MAP. Gardeweg will review the papers first then forward them
to two reviewers. It will be expected that reviewers will return
their comments within two weeks.
Discussion on what presence MAP should have at the IGC
It is likely a booth will be available. Each country will be
asked to contribute material for display. There is likely to
be at least one representative from each of the countries. These
people could help staff the booth over the two week period of
the IGC (August 7 -18).
Member Country Updates
Argentina
Argentina presented a review of their project activities for
1999/2000. In January 2000 the Puna-Austral geophysical data
became available for sale to the public. Argentina reported
that three geological map sheets have become available to the
public, three others have been completed, one planned, three
have been digitized and three others are planned to be digitized.
- Geochemical reports on four map sheets are available, while
sampling has been completed on 3 others. Two additional sheets
are in the planning stage. Geophysical digital data and maps
are available for seven quadrangles, two others are complete
but have not yet been released and four others are being interpreted.
Metallogenic studies of 2 sheets are in progress and 5 others
are being planned. Analysis of Satellite images of two map sheets
are in progress while 5 others are planned. GIS integration and
multi-parameter analysis are programmed for 4 quadrangles.
Bolivia
Bolivia presented a review of their project activities for 1999/2000.
Accomplishments: The 1:100,000 drainage map of the Salinas de
Garci Mendoza y Tahua area was started. During the month of September
a revision of preliminary geological maps of Panantalla and Salar
de Coipasa and Llica Bella Vista were completed. Together with
Ing. Jorge Clavero from SERNAGEOMIN, Chile, a field trip was
conducted in the area of Sojama and Choquelimpie. From this
field campaign samples were collected for radiometric dating
analysis. During the year Bolivia had three field campaigns:
June, July, and November. During the 3rd quarter courses were
given in Fluid Inclusions and PIMA at SERGEOMIN facilities.
Chile
Chile presented a review of the activities carried out from the
beginning of the fiscal year until now. Progress has been made
in both the Copiapó and Arica areas. In the Copiapó
region the field activities of the mapping program (three 1:100,000
sheets) has been completed with only the final field check pending.
One of the maps (Ojos del Salado sheet) is being prepared for
publication in the SERNAGEOMIN Geological Map Series. The study
of hydrothermal alteration zones along the border area with Argentina
was completed and the final report is being revised. Advances
were also made in the Hydrogeology Project. The hydrogeological
map of the Negro Francisco Basin, was finished at the end of
1998 and will soon be released as a CD-ROM. In the Arica region
important advances were made in the compilation of three 1:250,000
map sheets. The northernmost of the three (Putre-Parinacota)
will be finished by the end of the year. The field work for the
Lluta and Camarones transect was completed. A set of samples
for Pb/U and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological analyses was selected
and sent to Canada to be processed.
Peru
Peru has completed all of the maps in the northern area and is
now focusing work on the mineral resources of the area to the
north and south of Lake Titicaca. Peru hosted the meeting of
the Cartographic Standards Committee. Dr. Teskey reviewed
the status of geophysical data on file at INGEMMET during his
visit August 23-27. During this visit there was also a meeting
held with private sector companies regarding the Airborne Survey.
During the 3rd quarter Peru focused primarily on training with
a course in PIMA, Fluid inclusions, sampling for radiometric
dating and classification of mineral deposits and genetic modelling
in metallogeny as well as a course on mapping in volcanic terrains.
Presentation on CordLink to Executive Council
http://cordlink.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/cordlink1/
Dr. Murray Journeay of GSC Vancouver and project leader for
the development of CORDLink gave a presentation on the project.
CORDLink is a regionally focused WEB based digital geoscience
library, which uses a data model being developed jointly by the
United States Geological Survey, the Association of State Surveys,
and the Geological Survey of Canada. The presentation demonstrated
how various types of data could be integrated into a data model.
The presentation was intended to give MAP members a view of
the latest advances in digital information delivery and to provide
ideas for the presentation of data for subsequent projects.
Discussion was opened on MAP II
As MAP is scheduled to close on December 31, 2001 it is paramount
that if a sequel project is to be approved by CIDA, the initial
proposal needs to be submitted by the beginning of March 2000.
The recent Executive Council meetings were used as an opportunity
to begin discussions on "MAP II". It was agreed that
the new project should focus on common goals of the participant
countries rather than on an identified area. It was noted that
having common objectives would create a more unified project
with all members having similar objectives and commitment to
the project activities.
As CIDA's mandate is to fund projects that aid poverty reduction
it was proposed that the new project focus on geological hazard
identification and resource management. A working draft title
will be: "Proyecto Multinacional Andino: Identificacion
de Riesgos y Aprovechamiento de Recursos Geologico-Mineros para
el ordenamiento Territorial de la Region Andina". Each country
agreed to send the Executive Secretary examples of the types
of natural hazards relevant to their country as well as a letter
of support for the new project stating whom they wish to act
as the executing agency. These letters must be received no later
than February 14th 2000 as the project proposal will be based
on information contained in the letters.
Andean Metallogeny Symposium Update
A symposium at the Geological Society of America (GSA)
Cordilleran Section meeting April 27 to 29, 2000 Vancouver, B.C.
Canada.
The conference willl present 22 symposia or theme sessions.
One full day of theme sessions on Latin and South American cordillera,
and Circum-North Pacific Metallotects is scheduled. The Andean
Metallotect session will examine mineral environments ranging
from the scale of individual deposits through their evolution
in an orogenic cycle. It includes talks on several porphyry deposits,
volcanic massive sulfides, and epithermal volcanic-hosted deposits.
A number of pre and post meeting field trips are scheduled.
For further details refer to the meeting WEB site at:
http://www.eos.ubc.ca/cordgsa2000/
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