Jordan Natural Resources Authority Implements GIS

Since its establishment in 1965, the Jordan Natural Resources Authority (NRA) has been the government agency responsible for all geological research and mapping in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The NRA is entrusted with many activities including suggesting policies to investigate, develop, and exploit energy and mineral resources; exploring and prospecting for mineral resources by conducting geological, geophysical, geochemical, technical, and economical studies; and adopting plans and programs to administer laws and regulations in various fields of mineral resources.

It also issues permits and licenses for prospecting, exploration, mining, and quarrying in addition to providing mineral rights certificates. The authority supervises all hydrocarbon activities within the borders of Jordan. This includes the granting of international agreements including concessions, exploration, and exploitation agreements. It has also enhanced cooperation between various government entities by establishing a data and documentation center.

Acquiring Esri GIS software is part of the NRA's plan to establish a GIS unit that will support the geological mapping activities of their various directorates and meet the increasing demand for advanced and intelligent computer-based geographical analysis tools. Software includes ArcInfo for Windows NT, ARC TIN and ARC GRID extensions, ALJOGRAPHI (Arabic language supplement to ArcInfo), ArcView GIS, ArcView 3D Analyst, ArcView Spatial Analyst; and the Data Automation Kit (DAK).

The NRA selected Esri's GIS solution because of its merits and functionality; the availability of full Arabic text support; the large ArcInfo customer base in Jordan, including the major GIS data providers in the country; and InfoGraph's long history of excellence and proficiency in supporting the GIS community in Jordan.

For more information, contact InfoGraph, Abdali, Akarco Building, 4th floor, Office #12, P.O. Box 911021, Amman, Jordan (tel.: 962-65603-546, fax: 962-65602-891, e-mail: infograph@globalone.com.jo).

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