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MAP Executive Council Meetings and PDAC (Activity: PM.00/M-6)
Highlights:
The meeting was opened by Ing. Ricardo Troncoso - Acting/Executive Secretary, MAP. Lic. Roberto Page was not able to attend the meeting and appointed Ing. Troncoso as Acting/Executive Secretary. Ing. Troncoso welcomed the new President of INGEMMET, Ing. Victor R. Eyzaguirre, and Dr. Juan Carlos Sabalua, Secretario Ejecutivo, SEGEMAR.
Samples Update: Hickson gave the MAP sample update. It was explained that as of February 1, 2001 no more samples would be received by the GSC Geochronology Laboratory in Ottawa as there was no way of guaranteeing that they could be finished in time for the conclusion of the project. She went on to thank the SERNAGEOMIN geochronology lab for accommodating MAP and accepting samples for K/Ar dating.
Airborne Survey Update:
Argentina / Chile Airborne Survey:
Dr. Eduardo Zappettini reported that this survey, which had been halted due to weather conditions in the region ,was likely to commence this week (March 12-16). He explained that the company Fugro Geoscience had recently acquired the contractor, SIAL Geoscience, but that MAP would continue dealing with SIAL management. Delays in getting the plane in the air were also due to problems in acquiring permission for cross border flying and this problem had only recently been resolved. Zappettini mentioned that, barring any mechanical problems or prohibitive weather conditions, the survey should be finished within two months.
Bolivia / Chile / Perú Airborne Survey:
Dr. Dennis Teskey reported that after the contract for the survey was awarded in June of 2000 it took until September to get the aircraft into Bolivia (the country in which flying was to commence). Currently, the survey is roughly 50% complete as most of the flying over the Bolivian and Chilean territory has been completed. He explained that once Bolivia and Chile were covered the next step is to check the resulting data and then proceed to set up a base of operations in Arequipa, Perú from which to fly the Peruvian section of the Survey. Teskey explained that as long as there are no mechanical problems (a windshield had been cracked in a earlier survey causing several weeks delay), and as long as the weather permits, flying the survey could be finished by June or July.
Discussion of Geochemical Reference Material Program: Two more samples have been completed in the Sample Standards program. A basalt from Argentina and a rhyolite from Perú are complete and awaiting shipment to the countries. Ellerbeck explained that if the containers are opened in a non-sterile environment their value as a standard is ruined. Extra caution is required in transporting the material to the countries. He mentioned that special arrangements are being made to provide customs officials information so that the containers are not opened. He explained that he had contacted transport companies and had also invited local Consulates from the MAP countries to view the material and work on ensuring safe transport.
Action: Project Administrator to contact embassies of the MAP countries in Canada to investigate the option of sending the standards in a diplomatic bag.
Action: MAP management to write a letter explaining the nature of the material and why it should not be opened. As a second option, National Directors will then contact authorities from the ministry controlling customs and investigate the option of acquiring help from the ministry in importing the standards.
Standards: Chile to find and send a basaltic-andesite for evaluation. The two dacite samples from Bolivia will be sent for evaluation. Evaluation of two remaining petrological samples to be completed then an assessment of remaining funds done. Hickson to prepare report for next Executive Council meeting on funding required to complete petrological samples, lithogeochemical sample and for international certification of samples.
With the revised budget Hickson recommended that the program be brought to a conclusion with the three samples completed thus far. Chile offered to cover the costs of completing the sample from Bolivia. This will be approximately $15,000.
MAPdb Database: An overview of the database was provided by Dr. Mark Stasiuk. He reviewed the current status of the database and gave a demonstration of its capabilities. A number of recommendations were made. A number of deadlines have been set. These deadlines are extremely important, and must be met. The data in the database will be used for the CD-ROM. Since the dates for the completion of all the products are fixed by the conference in Uruguay.
All countries to test the beta version. Dummy data should be entered, but no real data added to the database. Send all problems, corrections, comments, requested changes, etc. to Stasiuk and Mr. Otto Krauth. Provide all missing sample data to Stasiuk and Krauth (do not add it to the beta version). Names of programs (and if possible actual programs) for which you would like an automatic data export sent to Krauth.
New Project: It was decided that the name for the development stage of the new project to follow MAP would be: Multinational Andean Project: Geoscience for Andean Communities. MAP: GAC
Proyecto Multinacional Andino: Geociencia para Comunidades Andinas PMA: GCA
This project will be a multinational responsive project using the integration of geoscience information for natural hazard mitigation in the Andes.
Ing. Holguer Parro D., President of the Chamber of Mines of Cuenca, Ecuador joined the meetings as a representative appointed by Ing. César Aníbal Espinosa, Under-Secretary of Mines for Ecuador. He was charged with the responsibility to represent Ecuadoran interest during the discussions on MAP:GAC. Ing. Parro gave a brief description of Ecuadors interest in the new project citing frequent problems with landslides in various parts of the country. He explained that these disasters have caused damage to life, infrastructure and the economy.
Based on preliminary discussions with Project Leaders on Monday, March 12 and the resulting suggestions for the new project, Hickson gave a brief outline for the project. This outline grouped activities into three basic categories: Data gathering, data integration, and community involvement. She reviewed what activities might be involved in each of these categories. Breaking down the project into potential acitivies is necessary in order to come up with a very preliminary budget required by CIDA very shortly. Hickson explained that if funding for the development of the new project is acquired, detailed planning would likely commence in June with a visit to all intended participant countries. It became apparent that a meeting between all countries would be required and it was also suggested that it would be most convenient for all countries to meet in Santiago, Chile immediately before or after the Conferencia Anual de Ministereos de las Americas (CAMMA) preparatory meetings, July 16 to 20, 2001.
Discussion on Metallogenic Map: An overview of the progress made thus far on the Metallogenic map was provided by Mr. Rob Cocking. He reviewed the current status of the map and the changes that had been made since the last update to the Executive Council. Zappettini discussed aspects of the written documentation that will be completed to be produced as a booklet to accompany the map and form part of the documentation for the CD-ROM. A number of recommendations were made for these products. A number of deadlines have been set for completion of various aspects of the products. These deadlines are extremely important, and must be met. The digital parts of these products will be used for the CD-ROM. The completion dates are extremely important since the dates for the completion of all the products are fixed by the conference in Uruguay.
CD-ROM Integrated Product: An overview of the Yukon CD-ROM was given by Mr. Andrew Makepeace. He reviewed the content of the CD and explained how it was created and gave a demonstration of the capabilities of SurView, a data viewer built into the CD. A number of deadlines have been set for completion of various aspects of the products. These deadlines are extremely important, and must be met. These dates are fixed by the conference in Uruguay.
XI Latin America Geological Congress: A general discussion was held regarding the presence MAP will have at the Congress.
DECISION: MAP will have a booth at the Uruguay Conference.
DECISION: There will be a special MAP session for unveiling the Metallogenic Map and CD-ROM. Following the session, there will be a MAP reception. Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Perú agreed to jointly cover the costs associated with the reception.
Argentina explained that due to their geographic proximity to Montevideo they were willing to make the arrangements for the MAP session at the conference.
Additional new trace element results for MAP sample standards
Three South American geochemical reference materials have been produced for MAP by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Geoscience Laboratories: PER-1 Rhyolite from Peru; CHA-2 Andesite from Chile; and BAMAP01 Basalt from Argentina. Results for whole rock major and trace element analyses have been determined statistically for 11 major element oxides and 38 trace elements, as well as water, carbon dioxide, sulfur, and ferrous iron. Additional analyses performed by Activation Labs have given results for 63 trace elements (combined methods of INAA, ICP, and ICP-MS), including some of the same elements as those in the original geochemical characterisation, and others, notably metallic trace elements usually determined for geological exploration samples. Fire assays to determine accurate levels of precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) have also been performed by Actlabs. As expected, amounts of trace metals, including precious metals, are extremely low, and show no significant anomalies. This is consistent with purposefully having chosen unmineralized volcanic rock samples as petrological standards. These additional results are useful in establishing background levels for trace elements, in order to determine what values are anomalous when other Andean samples are analysed for exploration purposes.
Recent results from Activation Labs for the MAP sample standards, as well as preliminary results from ALS-Chemex Labs, are very consistent with results statistically tested at Ontario Geoscience Labs, which reaffirms the consistency and excellence of these analytical facilities, and the appropriateness of using these suppliers for MAP analytical work.
The three geochemical reference materials are ready for distribution to the MAP participant countries; Ellerbeck is researching the safest and most appropriate method of shipment, considering their scientific value.
MAP NEWS Bimonthly
As MAP approaches its conclusion at the end of this year many activities are winding down and therefore there is less relevant news to report on in MAP News. For this reason the MAP News editorial team has decided to make it a bimonthly publication. The next issue of MAP News will be sent out in June 2001.
Important Deadlines
May 1st 2001: All critical missing data for MAP Samples Database.
June 8th 2001: Submission for ISBN/ISSN number for Metallogenic Map
July 31st 2001: Release of review copy of CD-ROM compilation
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