Overview
The geology team is one of the six Strategic Analysis and Capacity Building (SACB) in Agriculture and Natural Resources working groups assigned with the task of studying the geology and mineral resource potentials of the New Sudan.
The New Sudan, especially Southern Sudan, is one of the least geologically investigated areas of the world. Apart from a few exploration activities in search of gold by the Belgian Mineral Exploration Team (BMET), mica and marble by the then Regional Government, and oil by Chevron and its successors, very little effort has been exerted to understand the geology of the region. Specifically, for the last two decades nothing has taken place except the controversial exploitation of oil in Upper Nile Region by the GoS and the mining of gold in Southern Blue Nile. Due to the civil strife in Southern Sudan it has been impossible to carry out any research to systematically study the geologic and mineral resources potential of the New Sudan. In light of this situation, the Geology Working Group launched its first ever fieldwork in April 2002.
The authorities on the ground were very supportive of the work of the geology team. The Commissioner for Industry and Mining was present in Narus at the time of the fieldwork and contributed greatly through advice and discussions over the mineral resources – especially gold in the New Sudan. His observations as a hobby geologist in the field of gemstones were also very valuable. Similarly, members of the local population were good sources of information on types, quantities and uses of minerals, especially in those areas not visited by the team.