—— Chen Yuchuan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and an expert in ore deposit geology, discusses geological work and the reform of the geological exploration teams.

“ The rise and fall of geological work and the geological workforce are determined by the needs of the nation. Since the founding of New China, although geological work has experienced numerous ups and downs, it is certain that geological work—and the geological workforce that supports it—are indispensable and vital components of the nation. ” Held previously 2016 At the China Prospecting Experts Annual Conference, Academician Chen Yuchuan commented on the role of geological work and the geological exploration team as follows:

In Chen Yuchuan’s view, the development of geological work can be traced back in parallel with the historical development of human society. “ The history of human societal development is also the history of geological exploration and mineral resource development. From the ancient Paleolithic era through the Neolithic pottery age, and on to the Bronze and Iron Ages, China has engaged in a long process of adapting geological exploration and mining activities to these different historical periods. Our ancestors made significant contributions in this regard. ”

Academician Chen Yuchuan has his own unique insights and understanding regarding the evolution of geological work in our country and the institutional reform of geological exploration units proposed at the end of the last century.

What stages has geological work gone through at different time periods?

When discussing the history and current situation of geological work in our country, he divided China's geological work into... “ Before the founding of New China ” and “ After the founding of New China ” Two stages.

Before the founding of New China, especially since the 20th century, China’s modern geological work lagged far behind that of Western countries. 1912 Year 1 The Nanjing Provisional Government established the Mining Division under the Ministry of Industry, which included a Geology Section headed by Zhang Hongzhao. 1913 In that year, the Beijing government established the Institute of Geology, with Zhang Hongzhao serving as its director, until... 1916 It has trained the first group of backbone geological exploration personnel in our country, totaling... 21 Person. 1916 In that year, the Institute of Geology was renamed the Geological Survey Institute, and Ding Wenjiang was appointed as its director, officially launching geological survey work. 1945 After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was renamed the Central Geological Survey Institute of the Ministry of Economy. ( Still maintained in Taiwan )。1942 The Mineral Exploration Office was established again after the Lunar New Year. ( Resource Allocation Committee ) Xie Jiarong was appointed as the director. Before the founding of New China, the total number of geologists engaged in geological and mineral exploration was 290 Multiple people, 14 Table drill.

After the founding of New China, China’s geological work was divided into six major stages according to time periods—namely, the rapid construction and development stage in the early years following the establishment of New China. (1949 ~ 1965 Year )， “ Cultural Revolution ” Disordered Atrophy Phase during the Period (1966 ~ 1976 Year )， “ Cultural Revolution ” Post-development stage (1977 ~ 1990 Year ) , the stage of shrinking geological work (1991 ~ 2005 Year ) , Stages of Geological Work Development ( 2006 ~ 2012 year), geological work began to shrink ( 2013 Year – present).

“ During this period, there were three rises and three falls. ”

Academician Chen Yuchuan summarized the turbulent journey that geological work went through during this period as follows.

The first peak period (1949 ~ 1965 Year ) In the early days of the founding of New China, the country’s industrial and national defense development urgently needed mineral resources as a foundation. During this period, geological work played a tremendous role. It was precisely during this stage that new institutions for geological work and specialized geological teams were initially established. 1950 In that year, the China Geological Planning Steering Committee was established, with Li Siguang serving as its director. 1952 In that year, the Ministry of Geology was established, with Li Siguang serving as its minister. During this period, geological exploration departments for metallurgy, coal, building materials, chemical industry, and petroleum were successively set up. 1952 At the end of the year, the geological team 17788 Person. 1957 Geological team at year-end 28.61 Ten thousand people , experience 1958 Year of the Great Leap Forward 1960 Rapidly growing to annually 61.88 Ten thousand people, 1961 Adjusted annually to: 29.26 Ten thousand people, 1965 The geological team has grown to... 38.68 Ten thousand people.

“ Cultural Revolution ” During this period ( 1966 ~ 1976 The year marked the first period of contraction, during which geological work was severely impacted. There was a period when leadership was in a state of disorder. 1970 The Ministry of Geology was abolished and merged into the State Planning Commission, giving rise to the Geological Bureau of the State Planning Commission. The geological survey teams formerly under the ministry were transferred to the administration of provincial, regional, and municipal governments. 1975 Year 9 Month: The National Geological Administration was established.

After the Cultural Revolution ( 1977 ~ 1990 Year ) is the second climax, marking the entry of geological work into a period of rapid recovery and development. 1979 The Ministry of Geology was restored this year, 1982 The ministry was renamed the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources. 1979 The Armed Police Gold Command Unit was established this year. 1983 The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation was established this year. 1991 The Ministry of Chemical Industry established the Bureau of Geology and Mining that year. 1979 year to 1985 The first round of nationwide regional division work was launched this year. 1985 This year, a comprehensive deployment of the new round of solid mineral exploration work was carried out. Geological teams... 1990 Reach by year-end 112.15 Ten thousand people (including the petroleum sector) 44.41 (Ten thousand people). Reserves of various mineral resources have increased significantly.

1991 year to 2005 In that year, geological work entered its second trough period, and resource shortages continued to intensify. 1991 ~ 1998<