In 2006, researchers from the Institute de Recherche pour le Developpment or the Institute of Research for Development in Toulouse, founded a research project in West Africa called the West African Exploration Initiative or WAXI.
In this episode, we are joined by Mark Jessell and Nicolas Thebaud, who have been involved in the WAXI project from nearly the beginning and are now two of the people behind the Agate Project.
Geoscientist unemployment fell to 1.8% in September 2021: equal to the lowest level recorded in 10 years of quarterly employment surveys by the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG).
The under-employment rate amongst geoscientists (respondents able to secure 25% or less of their desired workload) fell to 6.0%.
The unemployment and under-employment rates in the previous (June 2021) survey were 5.2% and 7.9% respectively.
AIG spokesperson Andrew Waltho suggested that “the survey results supported anecdotal evidence of improved industry activity and a tight market for geoscience skills across all sectors of the geoscience profession across Australia during the past year”. “The unemployment rate of 1.8% in the latest survey matches that recorded in the first quarter of 2011, when geoscientist employment in Australia bounced following the global financial crisis of 2009-2010” Mr Waltho said.
Unemployment and under-employment fell in all states, except for New South Wales.
Western Australia recorded an unemployment rate of 2.9%. No survey respondents identified as being unemployed in any other state.
Under-employment in Western Australia was 3.9%, 2.6% in Queensland (down from 15.6% in June 2021), 7.1% in Victoria (down from 14.3% in June 2021) and 20.0% in New South Wales. New South Wales was the only state to see an increase in under-employment, with the rate up from 15.4% in June 2021.
Survey respondents expressed a high level of confidence (65%) in maintaining their current employment for the next 12 months. Only two percent of respondents were not confident in retaining employment beyond the next three months.
Increased employment prospects and a correspondingly market for professional geoscientific skills resulted in 43% of respondents reporting improved employment conditions, and 52% of respondents reporting that their employment conditions has been maintained over the previous 12 months. An increase in respondents reporting improved conditions is expected if unemployment remains very low.
Most survey respondents work in mineral exploration (61%) and metalliferous mining (16%), followed by energy minerals and resources exploration (3%).
Submissions for the next survey, for the fourth quarter (October – December) 2021 will open in January 2022.
Contributors to the survey are thanked for their continuing support.
SJS Resource Management Pty Ltd (Deregistered)
ABN 26141857687
SJS Resource Management Pty Ltd, a business associated with Julian Vearncombe was voluntarily de-registered by ASIC 4/8/2021. The company URL www.sjsresource.com.au was deleted 3/2/2020 and expired 9/2/2020 upon the (part) retirement of Julian.
An entity variously named SJS Resource and SJS Geologists is now using the same web address. None of their quoted staff, geologists and geophysicists are known to be members of the AIG.
Julian Vearncombe & past staff of SJS Resource Management Pty Ltd (Deregistered) have no association with the businesses SJS Resource and SJS Geologists or its website.
This notice is published by AIG for the information of members
The Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) is undertaking a detailed review of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the ‘JORC Code’ or ‘the Code’) provisions and procedures, to maintain professional standards and to satisfy the ongoing governance requirements of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC). The review process is expected to result in a final revision of the JORC Code in 2022.
An effective review of the Code has necessitated the formation of several JORC working groups to separately review specific aspects of the Code. One such working group is the Competent Person Working Group (CPWG). Unique to the CPWG is that changes to the Code will need to reflect changes in how the Parent Bodies (AusIMM and AIG) modify membership requirements for members to act as Competent Persons (CP). Accordingly the AIG/AusIMM have established a joint Taskforce to review the issues of Competence and Competent Persons in collaboration with JORC. This is a significant body of work and expressions of interest are sought from appropriately qualified professionals to prepare a Baseline Study to inform future discussions, workshops and decision making.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – JORC CODE COMPETENT PERSON BASELINE STUDY
Anyone thinking of making a submission is encouraged to participate in a webinar to be held on 7 th December. Webinar details will be sent directly to registrants. To confirm your interest, please email update@jorc.org by 6 th December
