Minerals development

Final evaluation covers period 9/78-9/8l and is based on a report and recommendations from Government of Jordan (GOJ) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) project personnel and a review of project documents. The project has been a notable success -- it was implemented in a timely manner and survey data was high-quality and reported well by the contractors (the USGS, Phoenix Corporation, and Geoterrex, Ltd.). The airborne survey to detect electromagnetically conductive anomalies covered 245 zones; follow-on activity was recommended in 33 zones. The airborne magnetic/radiation survey outlined a proposed follow-on program to include mineral, geothermal, and oil and gas studies. The Jordanian Natural Resources Authority (NRA) is independently following a number of these recommendations, including establishing a microseismic network to monitor earthquake activity in selected areas and an exploratory program to determine the potential of geothermal energy in the Zarqa-Main hotsprings area. The project"s success is attributed to a carefully planned project design and to cooperation between U.S. and GOJ agencies, especially the GOJ Departments of Military Security and Customs--for admitting expensive aircraft; the Department of Civil Aviation--for supplying the necessary aviation gasoline; and AID/W and the USGS--for providing required legal/contractual and technical aid. There are no direct beneficiaries of the project, except two NRA geologists who received U.S. training in data analysis and interpretation, but the project can potentially benefit much of Jordan"s population by raising energy production and increasing export earnings from minerals development. Finally, the project taught that careful planning in project design and detailed attention to implementation by all agencies involved can ensure the coordinated effort required for success.