The Independent Geoscience Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) serves in an advisory capacity to the Geological Survey (GSNL), providing science-based recommendations on geoscienceproject selection and methods, to ensure the work of the GSNL meets both the mineral industry’s needs and the demands for critical minerals to support marketing of Newfoundland and Labrador and enhance exploration investment. Recommendations from the TAC will be consensus based.
The TAC membership will comprise of nine (9) members, including a Chair. TAC members and the Chair are appointed by the Minister of the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology.
TAC voting members are researchers, resource managers, and exploration geoscientists drawn from industry and academia representing a range of interests and fields of expertise. Membership (nine total members) will be as follows:
o Assistant Deputy Minister, Mines Branch
o Director, GSNL
o Atlantic Canada Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) Liaison (Ex Officio)
o Mineral Industry (Five (5), including the Chair)
o Academia (One (1) member)
• The Atlantic Canada GSC liaison will serve as an Ex Officio member of the TAC, in order to provide information on joint Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador program activities.
• The Mineral Industry members (5) will be drawn from a pool of respondents to an Expression of Interest to be issued by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Because the TAC is Tier 2, the PSC will review applications and will provide a list of all applicants that meet the criteria posted.
• The Academic member (1) (with exploration experience) will be invited from the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Memorial University and will be appointed by the Minister.
The PSC will provide a list of qualified applicants to the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology who will ultimately decide final membership.
Mineral Industry and Academia Members of the TAC should collectively possess the following
core competencies.
• Geological and/or mining expertise
• Mineral exploration expertise
• Eligibility for membership as a Professional Geoscientist with Professional Engineers and Geoscientists, Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Significant experience in their area of expertise (geoscience/mineral exploration).
• Capable of a wide perspective on issues.
• No direct or indirect conflict of interest.
The TAC will meet three times per year - an annual face-to-face meeting in November to coincide with the annual Mineral Resources Review/Canadian Institute of Mining meeting, and two one hour video conference/teleconference meetings in spring and late summer. Additional meetings or e-meetings may be called for special purposes, such as new projects or briefings of new members.
Appointments will be for a two or three-year term with the possibility of reappointment for an additional term, to a maximum of six years.
The Committee is seeking to fill three Mineral Industry positions, with expressions of interest being sought from individuals who possess the background, experience and skill-set identified in the above profile and who can bring unique perspectives to the table. Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the board is representative of the population they serve.
