CPRM renews basic geological research

Brazil's national geological service CPRM is restarting basic research into the country's mineral potential, CPRM mineral resources head Manuel Barreto told BNamericas. "After 15 years of inactivity, the new government is investing to obtain new data and develop new work in geological research," he said. Efforts are being concentrated in two fields: airborne geophysics and basic geological mapping. Next week, the CPRM will announce the winner of three airborne geophysics projects in the Amazonas region of the country worth 4mn reais (US$1.28mn). The projects are in Trombetas and Amapu-Tuere, both in Pará, and Rio Araguari, Amapa, and cover a total area of 97,000 cu. m. "It is very expensive to send geologists to the Amazonas region to carry out basic geological mapping and that is why we decided on airborne geophysics, even though it still costs money," Barreto said. However, the CPRM plans to carry out basic geological mapping of other regions of Brazil by sending geologists into the field. Barreto said no region in particular is being emphasized, but partnerships with state geological services are being made to carry out the mapping. "These projects provide the basic infrastructure, the initial work, for prospecting minerals," said the official. Data is provided free of charge to interested mining companies. The CPRM will receive supplemental funds from the federal government's budget to carryout its work. "We will spend more than the 4mn reais in the second half," Barreto said.