Photo credits: EMOPI (Etat-major de lutte contre l'orpaillage et la pêche illicites) (French government agency to combat illegal gold washing and fishing)
The University of French Guiana (UG) and the Prefecture of French Guiana are joining forces to strengthen the territorial anchoring of knowledge and the dissemination of knowledge on mining issues in French Guiana.
The aim of this strategic partnership is to improve research, training and awareness of Guiana's subsoil resources and the issues involved, while actively involving local stakeholders. This initiative is funded by the gold seized in French Guiana, as part of the plan to return the gold to the Guyanese people.
A project to serve French Guiana
The aim of this ambitious project is to meet the challenges associated with exploiting subsoil resources in French Guiana. Thanks to this partnership, a number of initiatives will be undertaken to strengthen local skills and promote a better understanding of the issues surrounding subsoil resources.
One of the project's flagship initiatives is the creation of a scientific chair in Geology. This five-year post will be filled by an expert in Geology, specialising in petrology (the study of rocks) and geochemistry. Based at the University of Guyana, this person will be responsible for developing high-level research projects, in line with initiatives already underway (such as the ANR ECLAT projects or the PEPR Sous-Sol Bien Commun) and supporting new ones. He or she will also play an active role in teaching at the UG, helping to train the next generation of specialists in the geosciences, a discipline that is vital for the future of the region.
At the same time, the creation of a laboratory for the preparation and analysis of geological samples will make it possible to carry out cutting-edge analyses (such as grinding, preparation of zircons or geochemical analysis using SEM and XRF) and will encourage greater collaboration with institutional partners such as BRGM and IRD. This pooling of resources and equipment will facilitate the development of new research and training initiatives, while raising the UG's scientific profile.
Disseminating knowledge: a major priority
This partnership is not limited to research and training. It also places a strong emphasis on the dissemination of knowledge, a fundamental issue for French Guiana. The UG will play a central role in popularising knowledge about mining and subsoil issues, raising awareness among the general public as well as institutional and political players. Scientific events such as symposia, workshops and outreach activities will be organised on a regular basis to encourage the sharing of discoveries and advances in these crucial areas.
In addition, the project provides for the UG to contribute to the development and dissemination of data from the Observatoire de l'Activité Minière (OAM), which gathers valuable information on mining activity in French Guyana. This data will be better exploited and made accessible to the general public, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the issues surrounding the exploitation of natural resources.
Arnauld HeuretThe University of Guiana's geology lecturer played a key role in setting up the agreement between the University of Guiana and the Prefecture. He has developed collaborations with EMOPI, first in training and then in research, to strengthen local expertise in the exploitation of the subsoil. By supervising the recruitment and acquisition of analytical equipment, it is helping to structure the geosciences at the UG and raise the university's profile in this field.
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