Which future for EuroGeologists? Experiences and perspective of an

italian geologist

David Govoni – Unicalce Group

Rome – Capitoline Hill-Senatorial Palace - Hall of Carroccio - 17 March 2014

Workshop: “THE CONTRIBUTION OF ITALIAN GEOLOGISTS TO THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF GEOLOGISTS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EU DIRECTIVE ON RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS”

Presentation contents

1. How did I know about EuroGeologist title and my first feedback

2. What means “EuroGeologist” in my working life

3. Perspective for EuroGeologists

4. Conclusion

Presentation is based on my experience:

• Geological Services Manager for Unicalce group– Italian company in Industrial Minerals sector. National + International experience (China, Mediterranean area, Brazil). www.unicalce.it

• NGO activities in Geology sector, among others, President Young Earth-Scientists Network 2008-2010–world association of geo-scientists under 35 yrs old (more 120 countries) - www.networkyes.org

1. How did I know about “EuroGeologist” title and my first

feedback

Roundtable Session: “Transfer of Credentials/ International Licensure” - YES Congress 2009 - Beijing

• Prof. Manuel Regueiro, past president of EFG, took part to roundtable as virtual speaker, with a presentation about European Federation of Geologists activity and Eurgeologist title.

FIRST WORLD YOUNG EARTH-SCIENTISTS CONGRESS 2009 - BEIJINGFirst World Young Earth Scientists Congress – Beijing 2009

My feedback from roundtable session:

1. EFG initiative answers to the need to align licensure regulations across different countries

2. EFG was well aligned with international professional community trends outside Europe (US, Australia, Other…)

3. EurGeol title give access to “Competent Person” status in minerals sector

4. Title is a formal recognition of professional experience outside Italy

• ….. I therefore I decided to apply for EurGeol title

2. What means EuroGeologist in my working life

In Minerals sector regulations about recognition of professional competence are reasonably mature

• Employers in Mining and Minerals sector often require the status of “Competent Person” for geologists, especially for resource geologists, for example for technical due diligences, to list companies in stock exchange, in mining appraisals.

• In Minerals Codes they use these designations normally to indicate professionals titled to formally sign reports based on code standards

• Among criteria to identify professionals, one it is to be registered in a recognized organization.

• EFG is recognized by these codes for EurGeol title

“Competent Person” and “Qualified Person”

Some examples of the most famous International codes

Reserves/Resources reporting• PERC code – Europe• JORC code – Autralia• NI 43-101 – Canada• Samrec –South Africa• NAEN Code- Russia

Mining Appraisals:• CIMVal– Canada• VALMIN Code – Australia• SAMVal Code: South Africa

Example of Reserves/Resources classification da Samrec Code

From practical working point of view: which value has the Title of EurGeol and status « Competent Person » for the geologist and for the employer?

The status guarantee a standard to employer and among colleagues

Example of how much standards are important (from a real case):

DEPOSIT EXTIMATION

Consultant 1 - report of 1999

Consultant 2 - report of 1999

Employed Geologist –report 2001

Employed Geologist –report 2002

Employed Geologist –report 2004 (Competent Person)

Quality A 98,6 Mt 45,7 Mt 32,2 Mt 46 Mt

Quality B 66,7 Mt 84,6 Mt 39,2 Mt

TOTAL 165,3 Mt 130,3 Mt 71,4 Mt 46 Mt Proved reserves: 22,7 Mt

Probable reserves : 14 Mt

What I learned from experience

• In our work, it has been in my case, standards helps us as community of professionals to gain trust from our employers and interlocutors (private or institutional)

• My experience is more focused in minerals sector but I think the concept can be extended in all sectors of geo-sciences.

What difficulties for an Italian geologist?

• Still for my generation education in Italy was not enough “international”. Things are changing.

• Language and software skills usually weak• We lack of “collective” approach to problems• POSITIVE: our base preparation is very strong

Carmeuse Group Geology Mining Team Workshop, 2013

3. How will be the future of te EurGeol?

1 MILLION $ QUESTION

B. Need be mobile outside Europe

3. How will be the future of the EurGeol?

C. Role valorized by growing needs

A. Need be mobile within Europe

D. Depends on collective actions

1 million $ question

A EuroGeologist need to be mobile within Europe

Statistics from 2007 - Cresme FEG, MIUR, Almalaurea.

EurGeologist need to be mobile outside Europe.

• Data and feeling is that distribution of “global interest” in “Geology” in last 10 years have changed .

• Inspired by Cresme study of 2009- Il mercato della Geologia in Italia-, I played with “Google Trends” (with all its limits!) using it as Statistical indicator. Data are reported in following slides.

B

At global level “general interest” for “geology” decreased

2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

GEOLOGY

SCIENCE

Google Trends: Interest for “Geology” query compared with “Science” query

In Europe the “general interest” for Geology decreased compared to other geographical areas

GOOGLE TRENDS: Global internet search of the word

“Geology” (field of study) -

2004-2014Play

EurGeologist Role will be valorized in Europe in next few years due to society needs and

istitutional initiatives

C

• about 30 million EU jobs depending on the availability of raw materials (from EURaw Material Initiative website)

• Horizon 2020 program has significant budget for geosciences related research

• Legislation implementation• Stakeholders Initiatives (EarthScienceEurope, etc)

• We need Representative bodies, as CNG and EFG, to built the “International Credibility” of their registered professionals with partner organizations and other bodies all over the world

• We need CNG and EFG promote the database of their registered professionals with all potential interested parties

Future Depends also on our collective actionsD

• We need Representative bodies to promote Geosciences throw media: television

• Geology is critical for wealth of Society. Geology representatives must engage with policy makers. For example every Geological congress at any level should involve a Politian, not for lobbying but to make policy makers audience aware of “geological knowledge and challenges”.

• I think new CNG and EFG initiatives are in a good trend.

Single efforts in a complex society are not enough

4. Conclusion

In Whatever scenario: I believe Europe needs Eurogeologits

• Europe needs professionals whose competence is recognized internationally, inside and outside Europe

• That are internationally mobile• Multilanguage• With strong software skills• That has educational/training experience outside

their own country• That has strong international network of contacts

I believe Italy needs Eurogeologists

• …and Europe needs Italian Geologists

• Italian geo-scientists community represents one the larger earth science professionals population of Europe: they are an important resource for Europe and globally.

"Words without actions are the assassins of idealism.”

Herbert Hoover– geologist, mining engineer and 31°

President of United States 1929 to 1933

Thanks !