JEDDAH, 16 May — Seismologists, geologists and civil engineers from the Kingdom and a number of foreign countries yesterday began a two-day workshop here on the seismic hazards in the Kingdom and the design and construction of earthquake resisting buildings.
Participants in the workshop organized by the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), will debate ten papers covering a range of topics. These include seismicity and geology of Saudi Arabia, seismic hazards reduction, potentials of geohazards and engineering geology aspects of earthquake hazards, effects of ground conditions on earthquake hazards, tools for geological field investigations, microzonation studies in the Kingdom, experience from the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey, guidelines on seismic design and American geological programs on seismic hazard reduction.
SGS President Dr. Muhammad ibn Asaad Tawfiq opened the workshop.
Meanwhile, an SGS delegation and executives from five Saudi companies returned from a weeklong visit to South Africa where they discussed bilateral cooperation in mining and mineral exploration.
SGS’ Tawfiq who headed the team said they met with officials and businessmen in the South African mining sector and discussed means of expanding private investments in the mining sector in light of the increased importance the Kingdom attaches to this sector.
He said the historic visit to South Africa by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, has laid the ground for exemplary economic, trade and technical relations between the two countries specially the establishment of joint ventures, transfer of technology and training.
The Saudi delegation held a series of meetings with leading South African mining companies and discussed plans to start joint ventures.
The South African side has shown strong interest and expressed initial agreement on the financing arrangements for such projects, Tawfiq said.
One Saudi company, Al-Qahtani Group, said it signed a strategic partnership agreement with a South African firm for exploration and drilling activities in addition to initiating contacts with other mining spare part manufacturing companies.
The Kingdom and South Africa enjoy strong economic relations which have been progressing steadily over the past. A large South African delegation including government officials, mining executives and businessmen visited the Kingdom in February for an international conference on investment in mineral resources of Madinah Region.
One South African company, Bateman Project Holdings, is responsible for establishing Mahd Addahab, the Kingdom’s first underground gold mine.
South African officials welcomed the visit saying it will help open new business opportunities and enable the Saudis to benefit from the South African experience in the mining industry.
