GAF AG Awarded Contract in Madagascar

GAF AG (Germany) in co-operation with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (BGR) has been awarded a consulting service contract by the World Bank (IDA) funded Mineral Resources Management Project in Madagascar. The overall aim of the project focuses on the compilation and generation of a series of new geological maps and spatial data bases to support the development of the Malagasy mining sector. The awarded project will be developed in parallel to similar projects in the Centre and North of the country, which are implemented by the British Geological Survey in cooperation with the US Geological Survey (BGS/USGS), the French Geological Survey (BRGM), and the Geological Survey of South Africa (CGS).

Project components involve a compilation of available data and information, an extensive field data collection including a stream sediment geochemistry survey, a mapping phase and the creation of new geological maps at 1:500,000 and 1:100,000 scales for an area of nearly 150,000 sqkm. For the first time in Madagascar, a rather complete set of modern remote sensing and geophysical, spatial data will heavily support this massive mapping task. Field surveying in remote areas of the island will require a major logistical challenge. The management and interpretation of the collected data will be supported by a tailor-made, mobile field data processing system. The works have started in February 2005 and completion is scheduled for beginning 2008.