Venezuela, as the nation boasting the largest proven oil and gas reserves in the world, enjoys rich metal and nonmetallic mineral resources. In order to identify Venezuela's geological conditions and distribution of mineral resources which would serve as a guide to national industrial layout, the Venezuelan Ministry of Energy and Mines and CITIC Construction signed the "Contract for Venezuela Nationwide Geological and Mineral Resources Survey" in September 2012. The project involves nationwide aero geophysical prospecting (aeromagnetic and aeroradioactive prospecting ) on a scale of one to 250,000, regional geochemical survey on a scale of one to 250,000, survey on and evaluation of mineral resources nationwide, mineral resource prospecting of specified categories and in specified regions, development of national geological information system and database and training of Venezuelan professionals and technicians in the field of geology and mineral resources.