Our work in Suriname

IGS recently participated in a World Bank funded project (2023 – 2024) to assist the Suriname Government to establish and commission a national Cadastral Office and  Geological Survey. IGS concentrated on aspects of a National Geologic Survey while our partner, GAF AG (Germany) focused on recommendations for a  national cadastral system.

Suriname experienced a strong  mining sector with ample reserves of petroleum, gold and bauxite. These commodities accounted for a  large percentage of Suriname exports and government revenues. However, the mineral potential of Suriname has remained largely underexploited, even though it is located on the Guiana Shield, which  has a  high potential for a range of minerals. To increase the value of the mining sector, the Suriname Government implemented plans to improve the institutional capacity of the government agencies and a revision of its Mining Law to attract investment into the sector. This included establishing a new Minerals Institute by merging the existing Geological Mining Department, the Bauxite Institute and Gold Regulation Commission.

The role of IGS was to assist Suriname by assessing the relevant  existing institutions, the available geological data sources and samples  as well as the human resources. IGS then made recommendations regarding a future structure for an entity, which would be the National Geological Survey of Suriname, forming part of the Minerals Institute. IGS proposed an immediate structure, which could then be upgraded in the medium- to  long-term. In parallel, IGS also made proposals regarding the human resources required, and  the specific requirements of the various roles of the technical and administration staff. Finally, IGS made recommendations regarding specific actions to take, and to build an institution on a step-by-step basis.