Mineral raw materials were the subject of one of the discussion panels at the European Economic Congress held in Katowice. It was attended by prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of the Polish Geological Institute-NRI.

Discussions included the role of minerals in the context of the energy transition and technology development and the country's raw material security. Other experts on the panel included: prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Galos - Chief National Geologist, prof. dr hab. inż. Herbert Wirth of the Wrocław University of Technology and dr hab. Zbigniew Łukaszczyk of the Silesian University of Technology.

The European Economic Congress is a three-day series of debates, meetings and side events. The idea of the Congress is to integrate European entrepreneurs, create awareness among them of the values of the community and outline the direction of Europe. The themes of the Congress cover the most relevant topics for the economic and social development of Europe.

Panellists from the left: prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Galos, Chief National Geologist, dr hab. Zbigniew Łukaszczyk; prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of the Polish Geological Institute-NRI; prof. dr hab. inż. Herbert Wirth and Jerzy Dudała - moderator

The discussion on raw materials began with a reminder that the issue of raw materials and the shaping of the country's raw materials policy is regulated by the National Raw Materials Policy adopted two years ago and the EU regulation 'Critical Raw Materials Act' containing a list of 34 critical and 17 strategic raw materials.

- The starting point must be good forecasts of demand for raw materials, of which we have more than 100 in Poland with very different economic importance," said prof. K. Galos, Chief National Geologist. - We at the ministry believe that the list of strategic and critical raw materials for the European Union should be adopted as ours, while we will also have to remember to create a list of key raw materials for the Polish economy. And these are the starting points: demand forecasts and lists of raw materials that are most important.

The investment climate in the management of Poland's mineral resources was also one of the issues discussed. They discussed, among other things, what are the necessary drivers of investor interest.

- I am an ardent supporter of building a good investment climate for the mining sector and I realise that investors lack many things, such as public understanding of the importance and significance of the mining and processing sector to modern civilisations, said prof. dr. hab. K. Szamałek, Director of PGI-NRI. - I am surprised at the lack of public action explaining that all the infrastructure that makes our lives easier is the result of the mineral sector. The political approach to creating a good investment climate has changed with the new government, but I don't see any difference in the social approach and here there is a lot of work to be done. I believe, as a scientist, that any entrepreneur who shows a willingness to invest money in the exploration of deposit prospects and mineral deposits should be given the green light. In contrast, the approval or otherwise of deposit development and mineral extraction should still be analysed by the state for compatibility with the interest or security of the state.

Answers are provided by prof. dr. hab. Krzysztof Szamałek, Director of the Polish Geological Institute-NRI

A priority for PGI-NRI in terms of securing the country's raw materials is the "Balance of prospective mineral resources of Poland", which is prepared annually. The study is made public and additionally goes to the commercial counsellors of all embassies. - This is a planning tool for building a strategy for securing the country's raw materials and anticipatory information on what to expect and the directions of investment activities to take in order to confirm the forecasts of the Polish Geological Survey, explained Director K. Szamałek. - In terms of geological reconnaissance, Poland is one of the best-recognised countries in Europe.

The European Economic Congress was organised for the sixteenth time. It seems that the goal assumed by the organizers, i.e. an attempt to lift the burden of difficult topics related to the increasingly complex geopolitics and international situation, has been achieved. This is evidenced by the number of panel discussions held on a very wide range of topics and the participation of Polish and international experts.

Text: Artur Baranowski
Photos: Michał Rolka