Feasibility Study on the establishment of a web-based
system of unified and valid
“ECO Geosciences Database (GD)”
ith reference to the outcomes of the 3rd ECO Mineral Experts Group meeting, held in December 2006 in Islamabad, the 17th RPC meeting took note of the designation of the Geological Survey of Iran as the Project Manager for the implementation of projects on establishing a web-based system of unified and valid “Geosciences Database (GD)” and compilation of Mineral Distribution Map of ECO region. The 18th RPC endorsed the recommendation of ECO Heads of Geological Surveys (Tehran, May 2007) for the establishment of ECO Geosciences Database and compilation of a Mineral Distribution Map (MDM). For the feasibility study of “ECO Geosciences Database (GD)” Islamic Republic of Iran allocated a sum of US$ 250,000/- while the 130th CPR meeting on December 12, 2007, approved US$ 50,000/- to partially fund this project.
The Consultant shall perform the below services for this feasibility study:
Scope of Services
1- Carrying out pre-feasibility studies for detecting the opportunities (existing potentials) and threats (natural hazards) within the scope of ECO Member States` geosciences through gathering the respective information:
A) Collecting geographical information
B) Collecting geological information
C) Collecting Resources and Reserves information
D) Collecting natural hazards information
2- Specifying the general and specialized databanks (in accordance with the pre-feasibility studies) for being presented in the website of ECO geosciences database besides preparing the ultimate report of feasibility study including the items below:
A) Project foundation
B) Introducing related databanks and their importance
C) Recognizing related groups and institutions to data gathering
D) Preparing data forms to data gathering
E) Method of databank implementation (Time, costs, number and expertise of experts)
F) Effects (Positive & negative) and risk of project failure
The Project Manager has so far developed necessary digital format (for collecting requisite data) which was circulated to the Member States. They were requested to designate their representatives to the Working Group on compilation of ECO MDM. The member states are requested to kindly expedite providing the requisite data without further delay.
Meanwhile, as per the information of the Project Manager, around 30 experts from the Iranian Geosciences Center based in Karaj city are now involved in the process of the establishment of the ECO Geosciences Database. The Geological Survey of Iran has gathered relevant data from the web sites of the ECO countries. It has systematized the data into portals of geography, geology, natural disasters, reserves and resources. These are being processed to prepare maps, for each member country and for the region as a whole. Due to dispersion and decentralization of the data, GSI has designed a website to display it in an easy manner at http://www.ecogeodb.com. The website has a maps section where all existing maps are available in digital formats.
In order to establish ECO Geosciences Network, update/refresh the data collected for ECO Geosciences database, the Project Manager Iran hosted a Training Course (February-March 2008 in Karaj city) for experts involved in the preparation of ECO Geosciences Database. It was attended by experts from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan. GSI plans to hold in the member states the specialized training courses on databanks of minerals and geosciences laboratories as well on the website and method of data uploading for 5 - 7 days.
Within the project, the matter of establishing of an ECO Regional Centre of Geosciences, under auspice of the aforementioned Geosciences Centre based in Karaj city is planned to be proposed.