Beak's History
 
Founded in 1994 as a small consulting business with five employees Beak Consultants GmbH has developed to an independent multidisciplinary company, which operates worldwide.
 
Milestones of the company's history
 
2017 In a joint project with the Geological Survey of Namibia (GSN) we completed the geo-hazard map for the city of Windhoek. For the GSN we also implemented the mobile data capture for mapping and prospecting work ( Field Cap).
New projects are took us to Uganda, Kosovo and the DR Congo, where we were working on the implementation of information systems for geological services as well as on mineral prediction maps.
In Saxony, we completed the project for mineral prediction in the project area ROHSA 3.1.
At the Schkopau Chemical Park (Saxony-Anhalt) groundwater modelling continued in order to provide prediction scenarios for the remediation planning. Furthermore, we designed a remediation plant to capture groundwater runoff in Leuna. On behalf of the State Reservoir Administration of Saxony, we were setting up a geological 3D model in the Erzgebirge as a basis for a groundwater flow model to predict the effects of a planned water diversion tunnel on the environment.
For the Saxon State Office for Environment, Geology and Agriculture we implemented various projects in the field of data management.
In conjunction with our partners, we concluded the BMBF research project NAMIRO (www.namiro-projekt.org).
For various clients we worked on nature conservation issues along open cast mines in Saxony and Brandenburg.
In France, we won the BRGM award for the best mineral prediction map at the BRGM conference.
2016 On behalf of the Geological Service of Tanzania we implemented and operated our first data sales platform www.gst-datashop.com.
For the Saxon State Ministry for the Environment and Agriculture we implemented the project FIS Nature Conservation - Module Nature Conservation Subsidies (MKNF), a web-based solution with integrated workflow and modules for the qualification and management of nature conservation areas. On behalf of the Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology, we were working on geological 3D models and the mineral prediction for the central Erzgebirge. A key role was played by our  Prediction Software.
Our expertise in nature conservation was strengthened by working on several projects in the field of species conservation regulations.
In the field of hydrogeology and contaminated sites major modelling tasks were of particular importance – in addition to ongoing groundwater monitoring projects. In Saxony-Anhalt, we were working on the 3D hydrogeological structural model and the groundwater flow model for the Schkopau Chemical Park (Client: Dow Olefinverbund GmbH).
At the International Geologists Congress in Cape Town we had presentations in two sessions.
2015 In 2015, Beak was continuously developing the  Software Solutions as a modular system for geoscientific information systems. The technology for the mobile capture of field data was introduced under the brand name  Field Cap. In the field of 3D we were working on the application of artificial neural networks for mineral prediction.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research awarded the contract for the project WISTAMERZ - investigation of economically strategic minerals resources in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). In conjunction with our long-term partners TU Bergakademie Freiberg and Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg, we were processing research projects on minerals in Germany. In the field of hydrogeology and contaminated sites, the revision of a groundwater flow model, combined with mass transport modelling was in the focus to assess several alternatives for safety measures at a smelting plant in the Erzgebirge.
In Tanzania, we completed the generation of the Metallogenetic map and took over the hosting of the interactive map of the geological service www.gmis-tanzania.com.
In Rwanda, we completed the mineral resource rating of five selected areas. The target mineral resources are mainly tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold.
2014 The products of the  Software Solutions are being further developed, determinedly.
The research programme  3D Prediction Software begins as a cooperation project with TU BAF.
In Rwanda, we begin a new exploration project.
In Ghana, we continue the cooperation for perspective assessment of the Volta-Basin together with the Geological Survey Department of Ghana.
In Germany, we develop tailor-made software for geological services of different federal states.
Our product for storage and visualization of hydrogeological data in 3D will be further developed on behalf of the Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology.
In Mongolia, we are continuing to work with mining companies in the area of information systems and raw material geology.
2013 The extension  Minerals with many additional features for use in mineral prospecting is commercially available since early 2013.
The product series  Prediction Software develops into as a strong factor in our acquisition. The software is running under Esri ArcGIS 10.2 and an update to include two further methods, fuzzy logic and weights of evidence, is in work.
Beak starts a research programme on behalf of Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen for identification of building material.
The extensive exploration project in Rwanda has been successfully completed.
In Tanzania, we start a project to digitize the geological map archives and to construct the “Geoscientific Data and Management Information Systems”.
2012 The global demand for raw materials leads to a significant expansion of prospecting and exploration of minerals. Together with international investors we are working in the exploration of Sn, W, Ni and other metals. We complete selected geological maps of Morocco and have a large exploration project in Rwanda. In the Software Development Department, we are working on the restructuring and standardisation of databases and information systems. Our product  Prediction Software is upgraded: now it is considerably faster and runs under Esri ArcGIS 10.
Running since 2008, the project to design and implement a modern documentation centre for the Geological Survey of Uganda in Entebbe has been successfully completed.
2011 The neural network modelling has proved its suitability for the analysis and prediction of the probability for geohazards in large areas. The professionally adapted extension  Erosion is available for commercial use.  Prediction Software is increasingly used in the commodity forecast. The planning and design of an African-European information system on Georesources (AEGOS) via the analysis of functionality and infrastructure of existing systems and the definition of hardware and software architecture, components, modules and interfaces to a specific architectural specification within the special situation of most African countries is adjusted. In September 2011, we and our project partners are awarded with the Saxon State Prize for architectural culture for the ralisation of the project "Nature-based flood protection on the Schwarzwasser in Aue".
2010 The range of work extends from planning and implementation of information systems such as for agricultural production and integrated water resources management, to web-mapping service and examination of a site remediation according to federal law of soil protection and local principles for residual waste treatment. The geospatial prediction software  Prediction Software is presented at various conferences like Mining Indaba and journals like "Mining weekly" publish papers about it. The product specific website goes online and the focus of using our geospatial prediction software shifts towards the prognosis of mineral occurrences.
2009 The focus for the scope of work in Germany is on planning and developing of customised software, 3-dimensional geological modelling as well as monitoring. Internationally, the cooperation with African partners is intensified in the frame of the AEGOS project. New business areas have been developed in Yemen (country-wide hydro-geological information system) and Morocco (geological mapping and cartography). For the software  Prediction Software new fields of application are coming up, e.g. prediction of forest pest spreading, prognosis of mineral deposits in Burkina Faso or analysis of coal fires in China.
2008 Meanwhile, Beak employs 34 people, one third of them is younger than 35 years. Beak enforces the development of the  Prediction Software. The use of artificial intelligence for prognosis of spatial phenomena turns out to be exceedingly interesting and future-oriented. The intensive geological data capture and map compilation in Kosovo finishes with the creation of Prognostic Maps for several minerals. At multi-national level, the AEGOS project evolves. This project, as a consortium of African and international institutions as well, shall enforce the usability of geo-information in Africa. Long-term environment, research and IT projects in Germany and new projects in the Katanga region (DR Congo) and in Mongolia evolve.
2007 In Germany, long-term contaminated site remediation, monitoring and modelling tasks prevail. In the fields of software development and GIS, application programming and digitalisation are predominant. A new challenge is the realisation of due diligence evaluations for Russian energy companies. We carry out mineral resources projects in Mongolia and African countries.
2006 The step-wise development of a long-term research project is the basis for the development of our first self-created software product. On behalf of the Saxonian capital Dresden, we carry out a comprehensive flood damage potential analysis. The project "Mineral Resources of Saxony", for the first time since 1989 focusses on the economic potential of Saxony's mineral deposits. Our activities extend to Algeria (Planning of a Mining Cadastre).
2005 Beak intensifies its international competence. New projects bring us to Ghana (planning and development of a nationwide geological and mining information system), Albania and South Africa. In Kosovo we capture and reconstruct the geosciences data basis for the whole country. In Germany we are increasingly working for the industries of construction raw materials.
2004 Beak consequently improves the know-how of modelling environmental processes. Hydrological modelling in the unsaturated zone and groundwater flow modelling become permanent fields of work. Main issues in the field of software development in 2004 are the developments of the Geodatabase Kosovo and the Groundwater information system of Namibia. Due to the constantly growing fields of activity, we reorganise the company structure. We establish the four units Geosciences/Environment, Software Development, GIS/Cartography and Management/Logistics.
2003 Beak is a modern consulting enterprise with the business divisions: software development, services in the fields of geographic information systems, applied geosciences/ecology. We realise projects in all parts of Germany and increasingly abroad.
2002 With the sale of Beak International Inc. to Stantec Inc., the legal state of Beak Consultants GmbH is fundamentally changed. The enterprise is now almost completely owned by the staff. The name Beak goes over to the German enterprise. The company has grown to 30 staff.
2001 Beak realises the first IT project abroad (planning of the Information System for the Geological Survey of Namibia). We plan and consult large remediation projects within the field of contaminated sites. We start with the development of www-capable GIS solutions.
2000 The GIS- and database fields merge ever more into the field of the development of complex user software. The development of competence within the field of hydrogeology takes place in the context of large monitoring projects.
1999 We realise large www-capable information systems for public administration and financing sector. Planning and production of user-specific information systems becomes the innovative and most dynamic business division.
1998 We develop further competence within the range of ORACLE databases and develop the first extensive information systems on the basis of ORACLE and ESRI products. The staff increases to 16. Bio-monitoring develops more and more to a firm line of business.
1997 The design and development of technical information systems becomes an essential part of the business activities. The staff increases to 11.
1996 We develop competence within the range of the restoration of contaminated sites. Individual projects within the field of raw materials take us to South America and Australia.
1995 The consistent application of GIS for extensive spatial analysis in regional planning is an integral part of our business activities.
1994 Beak Consultants GmbH is founded by 5 persons as a joint venture with the Canadian company Beak Consultants International. Important divisions are: applied geology/raw materials, restoration of contaminated sites, environmental planning, geographic information systems/cartography. We receive our first big contract of 100,000 DM.
1993 The foundation members develop a concept for an innovative Consulting Enterprise within the intersecting areas of geosciences/environmental sciences/information technology.