On November 24, 2021, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Polish Geological Institute - National Research Institute (PGI-NRI) and the National Geological Service of Mongolia (NGS) was signed in the capital city of Ulan Bator.

The cooperation will include joint studies and projects in the field of prospecting, documentation and rational management of natural resources, critical raw materials (especially rare earth elements and metals), rock dating, isotopic studies, exchange of experts and visits of scientists, as well as acquisition of scientific degrees by Mongolian geologists in Poland. Joint activities will focus on regional geology, tectonics, the assessment of mineral resources, geological cartography, geoinformation, databases, geohazards and geothermal research. The agreement was ratified on behalf of PGI-NRI by Dr. Andrzej Głuszynski, the Deputy Director of the Geological Survey, and on behalf of NGS by Director Oidov Chuluun. The agreement was welcomed with great approval by both the Ministry of Mongolian Mining and Heavy Industry and the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment.

The ceremonial signing of an agreement on the cooperation between the Polish Geological Institute - National Research Institute and the State Geological Survey of Mongolia. From the left: Undersecretary of State, Poland’s Chief Geologist Piotr Dziadzio, Deputy Speaker of the Polish Parliament Małgorzata Gosiewska, Deputy Director of PGI-NRI of the Geological Survey Andrzej Głuszyński, Director of the Mongolian National Geological Service Oidov Chuluun, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Mongolia Krzysztof Bojko

PGI-NRI Deputy Director for Geological Survey Dr. Andrzej Głuszynski signs the agreement on the cooperation between geological surveys, with NGS Director Oidov Chuluun

The ceremony was the culmination of an international conference on "Mongolia - Poland relations: past, present and future", which was held in the main building of the Mongolian State University. One of the presentations was made by Piotr Dziadzio, Undersecretary of State and Poland’s Chief Geologist, who presented the history of and the prospects for Polish-Mongolian cooperation in various fields of geology, including raw materials critical for developing the economy, modern mining technologies, environmental aspects, the importance of zero-emission sources in the energy transition and scientific-research cooperation.

In turn, Professor Antoni Wójcik from the Polish Geological Institute - a long-time explorer of Mongolia’s geological structure, highly respected by the Mongolian authorities and geologists, during his lecture presented the contribution of Polish geologists to the exploration of this Asian country, illustrated the main discoveries of the expeditions in which he had the opportunity to participate, and presented issues that require further analysis.

Poland’s Chief Geologist Piotr Dziadzio during his lecture at the Mongolian State University

Professor Antoni Wójcik during his presentation at the Mongolian State University

PGI-NRI staff accompanied the Polish delegation, led by the Deputy Speaker of the Polish Parliament Małgorzata Gosiewska, whose visit was related to the celebration of 70 years of Polish-Mongolian diplomatic cooperation, the planned opening of a Polish embassy in Ulan Bator and a "Polish Week" organized at the initiative of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Mongolia, Krzysztof Bojko.

The delegation also included representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Environment headed by the Under-Secretary of State, Poland’s Chief Geologist Piotr Dziadzio, the KGHM Corporation and the War Studies University. During the trip there were meetings and discussions on future cooperation with His Excellency Ambassador Krzysztof Bojko, the authorities of the South China Sea region, the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, the National Geological Service of Mongolia, the Deputy Chairman of the Mongolian State Great Khural, the Rector of the Mongolian State University and the Minister of Education and Science of Mongolia.

Meeting between the Polish delegation and Mongolia's Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry

Text and photos: Radomir Pachytel

Translated by Tomasz Trzpil (PGI-NRI)