Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AITTAIPEI686
2006-03-06 05:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Cable title:  

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY'S NEW ROLE: MAPPING AND

Tags:  ECON ENRG SENV EMIN KNNP TW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #0686 0650517
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 060517Z MAR 06
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8860
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4792
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7644
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7503
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L AIT TAIPEI 000686 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AIT/W


STATE FOR EAP/TC AND NP/NE ALEX BURKART
INTERIOR FOR USGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2010
TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV EMIN KNNP TW
SUBJECT: GEOLOGICAL SURVEY'S NEW ROLE: MAPPING AND
CONSULTANCY


Classified By: AIT ACTING DIRECTOR DAVID KEEGAN REASON 1.4 (b)

C O N F I D E N T I A L AIT TAIPEI 000686

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AIT/W


STATE FOR EAP/TC AND NP/NE ALEX BURKART
INTERIOR FOR USGS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2010
TAGS: ECON ENRG SENV EMIN KNNP TW
SUBJECT: GEOLOGICAL SURVEY'S NEW ROLE: MAPPING AND
CONSULTANCY


Classified By: AIT ACTING DIRECTOR DAVID KEEGAN REASON 1.4 (b)


1. (C) Summary: Now that Taiwan has exhausted most of its
mining resources, the Central Geological Survey spends most
of its resources on mapping the island. However, the Survey
still conducts some mining surveys and has a major role in
providing expert geologic advice for construction projects in
this earthquake-prone island, including where to place
low-level nuclear waste. End Summary.

FROM SEARCHING FOR MINERALS TO MAPPING
--------------


2. (U) On Feb 15, AIT visited Taiwan's Central Geological
Survey, a technical agency housed in the Ministry of Economic
Affairs (MOEA),and discussed with Director General Lin
Chao-Chung the Survey's responsibilities and functions. The
Survey was founded in 1978 and currently has a staff of 160,
including about 50 geologists. Lin said that mining surveys
had been the main pursuit of their work in the past but that
as mining resources have been exhausted, the main focus had
shifted to mapping the island. He acknowledged that because
two thirds of the island is mountainous it is a big challenge
to complete the mapping (at the scale 1:50,000 or
15-minutes). (Note: The U.S. Geological Survey produces its
survey maps in 7.5 minute units. End note.) Besides mapping,
the Survey also assists in substrate studies when major
public projects are planned, such as dams, buildings and
bridges. The survey maintains a core-drill sample library
which is useful to identify water-bearing strata in
chronically water-short Taiwan.


3. (C) Currently, one of the secondary tasks of the Survey is
the identification of exploitable beds of dolomite, used as a
catalyst in the processing of iron, marble for building stone
and limestone as an ingredient for cement. Lin said Taiwan's
plans for buying or investing in overseas mining concerns to
counter China's agressive moves in that area were hampered
due to the lack of diplomatic relations. He added that
sending geologists to do surveys requires official agreements
which Taiwan finds difficult to obtain. He said that the
Chinese Petroleum Corporation had primary rsponsibility for
procuring oil and gas for Taiwan and it is in the forefront
in the search for energy resources.

ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE: GAS HYDRATE
-- --------------


4. (U) Director Lin mentioned that gas hydrate, a solidified
form of natural gas that occurs deep in the ocean floor
offers a future energy option for Taiwan. The Survey is
conducting studies of the seabed surrounding Taiwan to
identify sources for gas hydrate. However, because it is in
highly volatile form and typically occurs in deep ocean
deposits the technology to profitably exploit gas hydrate has
yet to be developed. The closest deposits are found in the
South China Sea continental shelf and offshore of SW Taiwan.
Lin said that the reserves of gas hydrate in the world are
huge and may play an important role in supplying energy this
century.

SITES FOR DISPOSAL OF LOW LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE
--------------


5. (C) AIT asked about the survey's involvement in finding
suitable sites for the disposal of nuclear waste. Lin said
that the Survey was very active in the searching for such
sites but lamented that every time they identified a suitable
site that met geologic and environmental
requirements, protests would ensue. Director Lin voiced
strong support for nuclear energy saying that only when
electrical appliances stop working due to a shortage of
electricity will people appreciate having nuclear power
plants.


6. (C) Comment: The role of the Survey is much diminished
from when mining was still a strong component of its mission.
However, on an island where earthquakes are common the Survey
is still the repository of expertise that is utilized for all
major construction projects.

KEEGAN