GIS modeling of a Cenozoic strata structure in Brest region for forecasting and evaluation of non-metallic deposits

To date, considerable experience has been accumulated in solving the problems of forecasting and evaluation of minerals, primarily fossil fuels and ore minerals. Virtually any such forecast requires the use of computer modeling methods, which today have become an integral part of geological industry, operating with large data sets. But despite such significant successes in solving the problem of natural (mineral) resources forecasting using up-to-date information technologies, scientific and methodological approaches to modeling the subsoil of territories where commonly occurring mineral resources (COMR) are concentrated are still insufficiently developed. Due to insufficient funding, this type of resources is often overlooked, despite its important socio-economic significance for the development of local industry of various ranks in regions. COMR are also important for the territory of the Brest region of Belarus. The development of the mineral resource base of this region due to the peculiarities of its geological structure (the territory is formed by a thick strata of Cenozoic sediments) is associated with commonly occurring types of raw materials. Therefore, scientific research aimed at modeling the geological structure of Cenozoic sediments in the Brest region to assess the prospects for dicovering new deposits of non-metallic minerals in the region is very relevant. The purpose of this work is to create a digital geological model of the Cenozoic sediments of the Brest region as a basis for forecasting the new COMR deposits, being most accessible for development in the region, and assessing the prospects for their development. Objectives: to systematize data on the geological structure of the Brest region; to create a digital geological model of the Cenozoic strata in the Brest region; to develop an approach to the grouping of the region's lands according to their acceptability for the development of COMR deposits; to develop a scheme of involvement of the predicted COMR deposits of the Brest region in development. Study subject: Cenozoic sediments in the Brest region. Methods: computer modeling, geoinformation, approximation, cartographic, classification, expert review. Results: a new, targeted scientific and methodological approach to the geological modeling of the subsoil and non-metallic mineral deposits in the Brest region was proposed. The regional-level digital geological model created on its basis makes it possible to perform primary forecasting of COMR deposits confined to the Cenozoic sediments, as well as to assess the acceptability of involvement of the identified deposits in development.