Geology as a contributor to national economies and their development

This paper examines the direct and indirect contribution to national economies
attributable to the geosciences, principally as delivered by geological survey
organisations. In particular, it looks at those sectors of the economy that depend to
some degree or other on the provision of geological information, and tries to quantify
the cost-benefits. This analysis is done partly through case studies of countries in
different stages of economic development and, by comparing geoscience dependent
outputs through time, adjusted for commodity price inflation, their impact on poverty
alleviation is assessed.
Primary production of natural resources is one aspect of economic contribution.
However there are other factors; these include cost-damage avoidance through
better understanding and mitigation of natural hazards and of support for socioeconomic
stability in activities such as artisanal mining and minerals trading. Finally,
there are trickle down economic indicators that result from skills and educational
developments associated with inward investments. Set against this is the cost of
environmental damage and social disorder that are often associated with resource
exploitation.
The study brings together various published materials in an attempt to set a
monetary value on the collection, management and dissemination of geoscience
information.