Dear participants of the expedition, dear friends, distinguished representatives of the University of Zimbabwe and authorities!

On behalf of the Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Exploration University I am pleased to welcome you at the event dedicated to the start of our joint expedition!

We are on the threshold of an important event. Today, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, Innovation, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe, a new stage of cooperation between our universities - a scientific and educational expedition - begins. I am confident that it will become a bright page in the history of the Mineral Resources Research Center at the University of Zimbabwe, which we are jointly establishing.

Our expedition combines not only the knowledge and experience of scientists from the two countries, but also advanced technologies. We will use drones for aerial photography, the latest software packages for data analysis and even artificial intelligence for forecasting.
But no less important is the fact that we are building a strong team of like-minded people. I am sure that joint work, exchange of experience and knowledge will be the key not only to scientific discoveries, but also to strong professional and personal ties between us.

In addition, we recognize the importance of preserving the environment while conducting our research. Each participant will comply with environmental standards and safety rules while working. Our common goal is to leave behind an untouched nature for future generations of researchers.

Friends, I wish you interesting work, new discoveries, good luck and, of course, unforgettable impressions from getting acquainted with the amazing nature of Zimbabwe!

Our expedition to Zimbabwe is getting to know the country! 🇿🇼
Today we visited the "Lions National Park", and tomorrow we start working!

In Harare, the capital of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the opening ceremony of the joint scientific and educational expedition of the Russian State University for Geological Prospecting n.a. Sergo Ordzhonikidze (MGRI) and the University of Zimbabwe was held.

The opening ceremony of the joint scientific and educational expedition of the Russian State University for Geological Prospecting n.a. Sergo Ordzhonikidze (MGRI) and the University of Zimbabwe was held in Harare, the capital of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The participants of the expedition were welcomed by the rectors of the partner universities, as well as the leadership of the University of Zimbabwe - Vice-Rector Prof. Hudson Makurira, Deans of the Faculties of Agriculture, Engineering and Natural Sciences. They expressed confidence that the joint work of Russian and Zimbabwean scientists will bring fruitful results.

The MGRI delegation included leading university professors - Dean of the Geophysical Faculty Andrei Ivanov, leading researcher Rustam Mustaev and senior lecturer Roman Pryazhevsky, as well as graduate students Egor Popov and Alexander Chentsov. They conducted a series of fascinating master classes for Zimbabwean colleagues, sharing their knowledge and experience.

Another important event deserves special attention - the launch of a new joint project. MGRI specialists created an eco-monitoring station, which was installed on the campus of the University of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean colleagues adapted the station to local conditions. This step symbolizes the willingness of the partner universities to practical cooperation in research and development.

This expedition opens a new page in the fruitful partnership between MGRI and the University of Zimbabwe. Their joint efforts are aimed at strengthening the scientific and technical potential of the African country and developing its mineral resource base. Such interaction between two educational institutions from different parts of the world is a vivid example of how education and science can unite peoples and cultures.

An important academic event took place during the joint expedition of the Russian State University for Geological Prospecting (MGRI) and the University of Zimbabwe.

MGRI postgraduate students Egor Popov and Alexander Chentsov presented their reports to the students and faculty of the University of Zimbabwe.
Egor Popov made a report "New Exploration Features of Diamond-bearing Kimberlites", in which he highlighted the research of luminescence of vein calcites as a new, auxiliary search feature of kimberlite bodies, which is currently under development. His presentation aroused great interest among the audience due to its deep scientific content and practical value.

Alexander Chentsov's report "Gold Field Golden Valey - Potential for Geophysical Research" was no less impressive. Alexander presented the results of analyzing the application of geophysical methods in the study of the magnetic field of Zimbabwe. It should be noted that in the preparation of this research Alexander was assisted by leading scientists of MGRI - Professor Petr Ignatov, leading researcher Rustam Mustaev and Dean of the Geophysical Faculty Andrei Ivanov.

The speeches of our graduate students caused a lively discussion among Zimbabwean students and professors.

In the afternoon, the expedition participants went to the fields to collect rock samples for further study.

Joint work of Russian and Zimbabwean scientists on the territory of Africa testifies to the strengthening of partnership ties between universities in the field of geological research.
This academic event is an important stage in the realization of the joint project of the MGRI and the University of Zimbabwe. Such cooperation between two universities from different countries demonstrates how science can unite representatives of different cultures and promote the development of scientific and technological potential.

The joint scientific and educational geological expedition of the Russian State University for Geological Prospecting (MGRI) and the University of Zimbabwe continues to strengthen international cooperation through joint scientific research. On the third and fourth days of the expedition, participants focused their efforts on visiting significant sites in Zimbabwe: the National Heroes Acre, the Magondi Basin and the Great Dyke.

The Acre of National Heroes, located near the capital, Harare, is an important memorial complex. This complex is dedicated to Zimbabwe's independence fighters and prominent figures of the country. The acre serves not only as a place of remembrance, but also as a symbol of pride in the achievements of the people of Zimbabwe. For the expedition participants, the visit here was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the historical contexts in which the country developed and to appreciate the significance of cultural traditions. 🇿🇼

The tour of the memorial made a deep impression on MGRI students and became an important part of the expedition's cultural program. They learned the stories of people who sacrificed for the freedom of their country, which allowed them to better understand the spirit of independence and resilience of the people of Zimbabwe.

The next key point of the third day was the Magondi Basin, a region rich in palaeontological layers and of great interest to geologists. The basin is a unique site to study due to its outcrops of rocks from different geological periods. These layers provide valuable information on the evolution of the crust of this part of Africa.

The expedition participants carried out a detailed survey of the rock outcrops, which allowed them to delve into the history of the continent's formation. The palaeontological findings helped to reveal the evolutionary processes that took place here millions of years ago. This research allowed them to draw conclusions about the climatic conditions of past epochs and their impact on the development of the region's ecosystems.

The fourth day of the delegation's stay was devoted to exploring one of the most unique geological sites in the world - the Great Dyke. This giant intrusion of igneous rock stretches across the country from north to south. The Great Dyke is an extremely important site to study because of its unique structure and rock composition.

Research here has given participants the opportunity to study the formation processes of such intrusions and their effects on the environment. Particular attention was paid to the mineralogical composition of the Dyke rocks, which provides data on the magmatic processes of the Earth. The students were able to put into practice methods of analysing geological samples and gain valuable experience in the field.

On November 1, a significant event took place: directly from Moscow, Yuri Panov, Rector of MGRI, gave the start of the work of the environmental monitoring stations "ECOGEOSCAN 1" and "ECOGEOSCAN 2" on the territory of the University of Zimbabwe in the videoconference mode! A part of the MGRI team, which is in Zimbabwe as part of a joint scientific and educational expedition, also participated in the launching ceremony.
These innovative stations were designed and created by scientists, students and teachers of MGRI at the L.Z. Bobrovnikov Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies in Nature Management.

This project is the first experience of international application of environmental monitoring technologies developed at MGRI!

The launch of the project became possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia and active international activities of the University aimed at strengthening scientific and educational partnership with the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Colleagues from the University of Zimbabwe took an active part in preparing the equipment and software for work and expressed interest in further development of joint scientific research and technological developments in the field of environmental monitoring.

Geologists from Russia and Zimbabwe held the first joint expedition
It took place within the framework of the Center for Mineral Resources Research at the University of Zimbabwe.

HARARE, November 2. /TASS/. A group of specialists from the Russian State Geological Exploration University named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze (MGRI) held the first joint scientific and educational geological expedition with local colleagues in the Republic of Zimbabwe. It took place as part of the work of the Center for Mineral Resources Research at the University of Zimbabwe, established with the support of MGRI.

Scientific and educational expedition
“Together with students and professors of the University of Zimbabwe, our geologists carried out rock sampling in the Magondi area,” Shivleta Tagirova, head of the MGRI Project Office for International Communications, told a TASS correspondent. - It is of great interest to geologists as it provides valuable information on the process of evolution of the Earth's crust in this part of Africa. Paleontological findings helped to reveal the stages of evolutionary processes that took place millions of years ago, allowed to draw conclusions about climatic conditions of past eras and their influence on the development of ecosystems in the region”.

The expedition was attended by Andrei Ivanov, Dean of the Geophysical Faculty of MGRI, Rustam Mustaev, Leading Researcher, Roman Pryazhevsky, Senior Lecturer, Shivleta Tagirova, Head of the Project Office for International Communications, and graduate students Egor Popov and Alexander Chentsov.

Environmental monitoring
At the end of the expedition, the first testing of the environmental monitoring stations “ECOGEOSCAN 1” and “ECOGEOSCAN 2”, which were installed on the territory of the University of Zimbabwe, took place. These innovative stations were developed and created by scientists, students and teachers of IPRI at the L.Z. Bobrovnikov Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies in Nature Management.

Directly from Moscow, MGRI Rector Yuri Panov gave the start of the stations' work in the videoconference mode. “This project is the first experience of international application of environmental monitoring technologies developed at MGRI, which became possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technological Development of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The launch of the eco-monitoring station is an important step in the scientific work of the two universities,” said Professor Paul Makurira, Vice-Rector of the University of Zimbabwe. - It is important for us that a joint research group of scientists from MGRI and the University of Zimbabwe has been created to implement this project”.

Geologists from Russia introduced Zimbabweans to advanced methods of searching for kimberlite bodies, which is especially important for diamond-rich Zimbabwe. In particular, it is about luminescence of vein calcites as a new, auxiliary sign for searching for these bodies. The University of Zimbabwe staff expressed interest in further developing joint scientific research and technological developments in the field of environmental monitoring.

Zimbabwe is known for its extensive deposits of hard coal, copper, cobalt, chromite, rare metals, gold, and platinum. In the Chiadza and Marange districts in the east of the country, the largest diamond deposits in Africa in the last 100 years have been discovered. However, large areas of the country have not yet been thoroughly explored by geologists.