Review of the Survey's activities in 1988

Abstract

During 1988 GGU started two major field projects in Greenland, one in North-East Greenland, and another in West Greenland in the Disko Bugt area. In addition petroleum geological investigations in Jameson Land and glacio-hydrological studies in West Greenland continued. A total of 84 participants were engaged in the field work. The scientific and technical staff at GGU in Copenhagen continued research on material collected in Greenland; total staff including administrative personnel numbers at present 108. A 10 per cent reduction of the staff is forecast over the next four years, combined with an additional reduction of the budget by 14 per cent. Accordingly, decreasing activity in both field work in Greenland and laboratory work in Copenhagen is expected. This development, rather similar to the trend in other western European geological surveys, willlead to a relatively greater engagement in applied geological projects and to less basic geological research. The Act on Mineral Resources in Greenland was revised in 1988 by agreement between the Danish Parliament and the Greenland Home Rule Authority. In accordance with this, all revenues from mineral exploitation in Greenland up to 500 million kroner per year wiIl be distributed with 50% to the Danish State and 50% to the Greenland Home Rule Authority, independent of the annual capital transfers from Denmark to Greenland. In addition the Home Rule Authority's access to, insight into, and influence on the Danish administration of Greenland's mineral resources (including GGU) are increased in various respects. The agreement is valid until at least 1995.