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International Geological Conference

GICA 2026

“Geological Issues of Central Asia 2026” was successfully held from September 16–17, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

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Conference Overview

The International Conference on Geological Issues of Central Asia (GICA 2026) was successfully convened in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from September 13 to 17, 2026. The opening ceremony, held at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, marked the establishment of a sophisticated network of global experts focused on the geodynamic, stratigraphic, and metallogenic frameworks of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). 

The GICA initiative is organized by the Institute of Geology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, and powered by the global mining group Rio Tinto. This collaborative effort brings together a prominent network of domestic and international partners, including state enterprises like the Erdenet Mining Corporation SOE and key funding bodies like the National Science and Technology Fund of Mongolia. The initiative features deep academic and scientific cooperation with European and regional institutions, including the Czech Geological Survey, Charles University’s Institute of Petrology and Structural Geology, the All-Russian Geological Research Institute (Karpinsky Institute), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Local academic and professional alignment is further strengthened by the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, the National University of Mongolia, the Unified Council of the Geological Associations of Mongolia, and the Blueschist NGO, creating a robust platform for advancing geological research and mineral resource exploration in Central Asia.
 
Core Session Breakdown
1. Paleogeography of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and Supercontinent Cycle
    • Tectonic Interconnectivity: Explores the connection between ancient oceanic closures and global supercontinent formation.
    • Continental Records: Focuses on structural configurations across the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) to reconstruct large-scale paleogeographic positions.

2. Mongolian Collage and Tectonics
    • Accretionary Complexity: Details the complex histories of subduction, collision, and accretionary developments in Central Asia.
    • Terrane Analysis: Analyzes the interplay among ophiolites, diverse island arcs, and microcontinental fragments that form the Central Asian basement.

3. Basin Analysis and Stratigraphy
    • Crustal Response: Investigates localized responses of the upper crust to changing regional tectonic regimes.
    • Stratigraphic Modeling: Integrates depositional data to trace basin history and structural deformation across borders.

4. Isotope Geochemistry, Geochronology, and Crustal Evolution
    • Precision Timelines: Uses high-precision isotope geochemistry to construct exact magmatic and metamorphic timelines.
    • Evolutionary Frameworks: Deciphers deep crustal growth history, juvenile crust additions, and parental magma characteristics.

5. Mineral Resources and Metallogeny
    • Economic Geology: Enhances predictive models for metallogenic frameworks and large-scale economic mineral deposits.
    • Resource Mapping: Links specific geodynamic stages—such as subduction and collisional tectonic phases—to regional mineralization zones.

6. Advanced Technology and Data Analysis
  • Exploration Modeling: Applies machine learning, big data analysis, and advanced remote sensing to optimize geophysical target detection.
  • Data Synthesis: Combines large, multi-source geological data repositories to streamline subsurface exploration and minimize exploration uncertainty.

© Institute of Geology

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