GEOSCIENTISTS APPLAUD TSE/OSC RECOMMENDATIONS
Toronto – February 2, 1999.

The Association of Geoscientists of Ontario (AGO) applauded today's final report of the TSE/OSC Mining Standards Task Force (MSTF). In its report, the MSTF strongly recommended that geoscientists be licensed as a self-regulating profession. Geoscience is the study of the earth and its systems and includes a wide range of earth science professionals such as geologists, hydrogeologists, geochemists and geophysicists.

"We are fully supportive of the Task Force's recommendations and are encouraged by the government's willingness to move forward to implement legislation within the two-year period outlined in the MSTF report," said AGO President Dr. Bill Pearson. "We are very pleased to see that the TSE, the OSC and now the government have recognized the benefit to the public of licensing geoscientists."

The AGO has established an independent Advisory Committee to work with the Board of Directors of the AGO and officials at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The Advisory committee, composed of experienced senior mining, environmental, financial and legal professionals, will provide advice on preparing legislation, developing a business plan and ensuring that the resulting self regulatory organization will enable geoscientists to fully meet the requirements of the "Qualified Person" concept. Once legislation is fully implemented the SRO will administer the regulations and will ensure high standards of entry, discipline and enforcement in the profession.

With a membership of over 1,000, the AGO was formed in 1996 as the voice for geoscientists in Ontario.

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Contacts:

Richard Puntis (519) 767-9100
Bill Pearson (416) 861-9500