Geological Mapping and GIS project for Uganda

GAF AG in a consortium led by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and partners has started a geological mapping project in the southern part of Uganda. The work area with a size of approx 85000 km2 consists of whole Uganda from 1° North to Uganda\'s national borders to the south. The predominant geology in the area consists of the Ugandan Archean Craton, Neoarchean greenstone belts in the south-east and Proterozoic metamorphics in the west. In the eastern part the East African Rift System's Phanerozoic volcanics will be investigated.  

The geological mapping will be performed at various scales of 1: 50,000 to 1:250,000. In a first phase all existing information will be compiled, satellite imagery and geophysical data interpreted and geological draft maps will be prepared. All compiled data will be used in the field mapping campaign and for the organisation of the field work schedules. Geological field work and sampling will be performed by a team of experienced geologists in spring and summer 2009. A mobile mapping technique based on the use of GPS-linked PDA's and the quick GIS visualisation and interpretation with GAF's GeoRover - software will be used by GAF's geologists in the field. By using this technology, first geological maps will be generated already during the field campaign and a geological, growing GIS data base can be prepared.

The results of the field work campaigns are being used to update the preliminary maps and finalize them with the knowledge gathered in the field. The overall aim is to prepare an updated geological knowledge base for the Department of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) in Entebbe, providing much needed information to attract resources exploration and development activities in an area with high mineral potential.

The project is carried out by GTK consortium with partners GAF AG, the Council for Geoscience (CGS), the International Institute for Geoinformation and Earth Observation (ITC) as well as FELS and Westcourt as subconsultants. With a total duration of 30 months the project is initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Uganda and funded by the International Development Association (IDA).