Geoscience has a long and glorious history in Finland (Tanskanen 1986, Haapala 2005). The first geological studies were already performed and academic dissertations written at the Academy of Turku, the first university in Finland founded in 1640. The first Chair in Geology and Mineralogy was established at the University of Helsinki in 1852. During the historical period of the Enlightenment, geoscience received more emphasis and funding, as it could show direct benefits to society and its rulers. The beginning of geological survey activities in Finland was closely connected with the father of Finnish mineralogy, Nils Nordenskiöld, who operated as the General Intendant of the Mining Council during 1823–1855. He was the one who showed initiative and pursued the beginning of geological surveys and exploration funded by the government. His initiatives were fulfilled by founding a geological office to the government’s Mining Council in 1870. The work of geologists and surveyors was effective: they mapped much of Southern Finland and made some promising findings of gold and other commodities <...>

Many Third World and developing countries rely mainly on the utilisation of their natural resources to sustain their economic development. In the Philippines in particular, the exploitation of mineral resources has traditionally been a significant component of the Philippine economy (Domingo, 1993).

Comme tous les êtres vivants, depuis qu’il existe, l’Homme doit non seulement assurer sa nourriture, condition essentielle de sa maintenance, mais il doit aussi faire face aux conséquences des manifestations internes et externes de son environnement. Ces interactions entre l’Homme et son cadre de vie représentent une préoccupation majeure permanente, puisqu’elles conditionnent notre vie et l’évolution biologique de tous les êtres vivants.