Peter Zawada began his career as a mapping geologist, working in various regions of South Africa with the Geological Survey (Council for Geoscience). He became the Executive Manager for Regional Geoscience and Mapping, overseeing the mapping programs of six regional offices, along with their associated research initiatives. Peter earned both his MSc and PhD in geology in South Africa. In addition, he played a key role in managing international commercial mapping programs, primarily funded by the World Bank, and fostered partnerships with numerous Geological Surveys across Africa. Peter was later invited to serve as a director and, subsequently, the Managing Director of IGS (International Geoscience Services) Ltd, which was spun out of the British Geological Survey in 2011. IGS is a UK based consultancy that offers a broad range of geodata services to governments, primarily through their respective Geological Surveys. A robust national database of accurate, precise, and fit-for-purpose geodata is a crucial factor in attracting exploration investment to a country, and IGS supports governments in achieving this objective. Peter strongly believes that a nation's Geological Survey is a critical component of its geoscientific infrastructure, playing an essential role in developing its geoscientists and fostering the growth of its mineral sector.
