Main topics requiring adequate geospatial data:

• Optimisation of agriculture and rearing of animals
• Infrastructure of the country (routes, railways, dams & waterways)
• Optimisation of state administrative services
• Prevention and management of natural risks
• Optimisation of environmental management and forestry
• Preservation of soil and erosion management
• Optimisation of border defences
• Security needs (National defence)
• Optimal management of transport routes – for people & goods

New digital topographical mapping at 1/100,000 and 1/50,000 scales

Digitization (vector) of existing thematic mapping:

• Optimisation of agriculture and rearing of animals

Production of new thematic maps based on recent high resolution
satellites + ground follow up:

• Detailed ground use maps
• Population density maps
• Potential erosion maps
• Flood risk maps
• Landslide risk maps

Preliminary topographic, mapping and remote sensing database

• Collection, collation and digitization of existing relevant topographic mapping and high-resolution, remote-sensed imagery of the country or area of interest, for inclusion in the geospatial database.
• Collection and incorporation of thematic maps and other data (geology, mineral resources, soil, vegetation, land use, water resources,) as appropriate.
• Collection and incorporation of high level geophysical survey data and preliminary interpretations at national or regional scale, as appropriate.

Nationwide Geospatial Database development

• Development of a geospatial database at national or regional scale, as appropriate. This becomes the "chassis" on which all further layers of data are added and provides the "engine" for data access, interrogation and manipulation.
• Development of database structures, security, policies on access, systems for continual monitoring and update, development of 3rd party portals (websites & others).
• Develop a "data centre" and equip this with appropriate hardware and software, as appropriate.
• Provide system tools for management of all aspects of the Geospatial Database.

*Update geospatial database with all data acquired to date.

UP TO DATE TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING AND REMOTE-SENSED IMAGERY

Comprehensive up-to-date mapping data-base at regional or national scale, in digital format, to assist with:

• Infrastructure planning
• National defence
• Water & energy resources
• Agriculture and land use generally
• Environmental issues (deforestation, land erosion, etc.)

DIGITIAL MINERAL and/or NATURAL RESOURCE ATLAS

Comprehensive, integrated digital picture of the mineral and other natural resource wealth of the nation. Immediate benefits that might be derived from this include:

• Significantly improved strategic and financial planning through having a clearer picture of the extent and distribution of the nation's resource wealth, and more accurate simulation of concession and PSA revenue and other resource based taxes
• Better management of external debt (existing and future),
• Possibility of monetisation programs, including listing resource activities/sectors on major stock exchanges
• Significant increase in interest from the international mining / development community, with the possibility of improved negotiation of concession terms,
• Increased willingness of oil / mining companies to invest in exploration and development, due to the availability of better data-base of information and increased confidence in government brought about by the government's ability to provide high quality support and relevant data on potential exploration / development opportunities.

NATIONWIDE GEOSPATIAL DATABASE

Effective management and future development resource-related and other information. Consolidating such data brings significant further benefits, including:

• Enhanced confidence in government, domestically and internationally,
• Ability to provide relevant data for relevant geographical areas to interested parties,
• Operational Network implementation of users of the Geospatial Data bank
• Assistance with geological interpretation through the interrelationship between topography, geophysics, water resources, etc.
• Establishment of inter-relationships between different types of geospatial land use data – for example water and agriculture,
• Improved budgeting, planning and decision making and subsequent management through access to relevant and integrated information,
• Improved concession management,
• Development of advanced decision making tools,
• Environmental and other land use monitoring through the use of Earth Observation technology, including flood prediction and preparedness
• Increased efficiencies through geospatial information sharing, without unnecessary duplication,
• Dynamic management tools which can be constantly updated
• Compatibility with regional initiatives, allowing cross boundary benefits.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

The consolidated geospatial database creates significant benefits, including:

• Specific, thematic, up-to-date maps,
• Summary presentations of known / existing natural resources,
• Strategic planning information to aid government planning and development,
• Promotional presentations to market the nation's exploration and development potential, to international investors,
• Promotional presentations to market the nation's industrial / infrastructure development potential, to international financial institutions.