Recently, the “Regional Geological Survey Specifications (1:50,000),” led by the Institute of Geology at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, was released and will take effect from October 1.
　　According to the introduction, in accordance with the relevant requirements of the reform of regional geological surveys by the China Geological Survey, the Basic Investigation Department of the China Geological Survey organized the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, together with six major geological survey centers—including the Xi'an Geological Survey Center of the China Geological Survey—as well as the Development Research Center of the China Geological Survey, the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, and the Institute of Geomechanics of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences—to establish a drafting group. This group initiated the development of technical standards for regional geological surveys in 2016. Building on the pilot project of geological mapping under the "Key Geological Issues Investigation Program," the drafting group set out to address major fundamental geological issues, emphasizing the presentation and application of geological mapping results. Adopting an open working mechanism, the group brought together regional geological survey experts from across the country to formulate technical requirements for regional geological surveys. In 2019, the drafting group completed the preparation and issued for trial implementation of the China Geological Survey standard "Technical Requirements for Regional Geology at 1:50,000 Scale." After three years of trial operation and further revisions and improvements, the "Regional Geological Survey Specifications (1:50,000)" were finalized in 2022 and reviewed by the Subtechnical Committee on Geological and Mineral Resource Survey and Evaluation of the Technical Committee for Standardization of Natural Resources and Territorial Spatial Planning in September of the same year. Recently, these specifications were released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
　　From the initiation of the project to its publication, the drafting group analyzed and processed feedback from 150 experts at 68 institutions. This standard is the culmination of the collective wisdom of numerous experts in China’s geological mapping field and features the following key characteristics: First, it places great emphasis on systematically summarizing previous work and evaluating research findings; second, it clearly defines the purpose of geological mapping as enhancing geological understanding, advocates the use of various advanced technological methods, and promotes scientifically sound planning of workload; third, it introduces specialized geological mapping approaches to efficiently address major geological issues and meet societal needs. The publication of this standard sets forth fundamental requirements and technical specifications for China’s regional geological surveys at a scale of 1:50,000 for the coming period, providing standards and guidelines for the deployment, organization, investigation and research, quality management, and acceptance of survey results in regional geological surveys.