30 May 2013
Ottawa, Ontario
As a world leader in the field of geosciences, Canada is committed to sharing its expertise with other countries, including Chile in order to promote prosperity in the Americas. To this end, on May 30, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile, announced the implementation of an arrangement on professional exchanges and training in the field of geosciences. The announcement was made during President Piñera’s state visit to Canada.
This arrangement between Natural Resources Canada’s Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) and the National Geological and Mining Service of Chile (Sernageomin) builds on the 1999 Memorandum of Understanding for Collaboration in the Field of Geological Sciences. The arrangement is effective immediately and will remain valid until March 31, 2015.
The goal of the arrangement is to transfer Canadian knowledge and techniques to Chile to help improve its investment climate. To accomplish this, the GSC will:
- Provide expert advice concerning their best practices in current management approaches and strategic orientations;
- Provide training to Sernageomin and mineral exploitation sector representatives in Chile in the fields of geophysics, mineral exploration and geo-mapping through transfer knowledge on Canadian technologies and approaches by allowing Sernageomin professionals to work on GSC projects;
- Share current Canadian public policies on the sustainable development and promotion of mining exploration.
Under the arrangement, a work plan will be co-developed to support capacity building on modern technologies and approaches developed in the field of geosciences, followed by hands-on training to address defined needs.
Providing support to Chile to modernize its geological and geoscientific knowledge base exemplifies the Government of Canada’s approach to promote Canadian science and technology abroad, and strengthens the competitive advantage of Canadian exploration and mining companies established in Chile.
The Geological and Mining Service of Chile is currently responsible for the delivery of services and expertise such as mapping, geophysical analysis, geographical studies, scientific and technical data for development and geothermal energy, seismology and volcanic activity.
