Greenland and Nunavut Geoscience Workshop, 2014, Nuuk, Greenland

The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office (CNGO) recently held a workshop in Nuuk, Greenland focused on exchanging information about mineral and petroleum resources and discussing geoscience questions common to both jurisdictions. This workshop included participants from the CNGO, Government of Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Geological Survey of Canada, Government of Greenland Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and GEUS. Valuable perspectives were also shared by both Greenland and Nunavut on the value of geological surveys as important institutions for managing natural resources. The workshop consisted of 23 presentations and a field trip in Godthåbsfjord.

Discussions during the workshop confirmed that increased collaboration between Greenland and Nunavut could help solve a range of geoscience-related questions and help build competencies on both sides of Baffin Bay. Important scientific outcomes of increased collaboration would include better understanding of the oil and gas resource potential, tectonics and mineral occurrences in the area. Specific outcomes linked to this goal include: 1) having staff exchanges between the two jurisdictions; 2) exchanging information regarding the establishment and operation of geological survey offices and local
capacity building; 3) meeting annually during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto; and 4) co-ordinating another similar workshop in Nunavut in 2 to 3 years.