Brazil looking to improve geological mapping system for mining

The Brazilian geological survey department, SGB, launched a public consultation to improve the country's geological mapping system for the mining sector.

The public consultation will be open until June 15 and it can be accessed here.

"This action is part of the 10-year basic geological mapping plan (PlanGeo) and is aimed at receiving proposals from the mining sector and civil society to identify the mineral potential in the country," the mines and energy ministry said in a statement.

"Contributions will help decide the priorities regarding the areas to be mapped, ensuring a greater impact of mineral exploration and research," it added.  

The planning and execution of PlanGeo is being led by the SGB and includes the identification and prioritization of strategic areas for systematic geological mapping, considering a 10-year cycle.

These activities must follow governance principles, such as predictability, transparency, social participation, generation of knowledge for national development and adherence to national sectoral planning strategies, the ministry stated.

The SGB’s efforts have been applauded by mining stakeholders. 

"The SGB has recently been resuming its original vocation, which is to help the country increase its geological knowledge. This task is crucial to the long-term support of Brazil's further diversification of its mining industry," Valdir Farias, CEO of mining consultancy Fioito, told BNamericas.

The geological survey department said that a total of 60 blocks distributed across the three macroeconomic regions of Brazil – Amazon, Northeast and Center-South – have been considered priorities for geological mapping in the 2025-34 cycle.