Recently, the UNESCO International Centre on Global-Scale Geochemistry (ICGG) hosted the Seminar on “Chemical Earth” International Big Science Program in Beijing. The seminar discussed cutting-edge advances, future priorities and international cooperation under the “Chemical Earth” Big Science Program, drawing more than 80 scholars from 15 countries — China, Australia, Sweden, Ireland, Laos, Colombia, Türkiye, Serbia, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Madagascar, Zambia, Mozambique and Ghana. The presentations covered Digital Chemical Earth: Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, Advances in Geochemical Mapping Methodologies, Geochemical Mapping and Health Assessment, Decadal Trends in Applied Geochemical Research for Africa, and Geochemical Analysis and Mapping. Participating experts exchanged views on frontier topics including statistical methods for reference materials, isotope applications in mineral exploration, scientific foundational models and new paradigms for quantitative geochemistry, application of national- and global-scale geochemical data in mineral prospectivity modelling and environmental assessment, geochemical footprints of critical raw materials, deep-penetration geochemical mapping for glacial and gobi terrains, as well as machine-learning- and AI-empowered geochemical platforms. They also explored ideas and measures to strengthen international collaboration and advance implementation of the big science programme.
The successful convening of the seminar has built strong consensus toward a more systematic and extensive global geochemical cooperation network. Going forward, ICGG will continue to leverage its role as an international platform, advancing the building of the Global Geochemical Baselines Network, sharing of geochemical scientific data, formulation of technical standards and global capacity building. It will provide solid scientific support for delivering the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and advancing sustainable development of global resources and the environment.
