On 19 November 2019, a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Polish Geological Institute – NRI (PGI-NRI) and the Centre de Recherches Géologiques et Minières of the DR Congo (CRGM) was held in Kinshasa. 

The MoU, providing a framework for the scientific and technical cooperation in the field of Earth sciences, was signed by Prof. Valentin Kanda Nkula, Director General of CRGM, and PhD Eng. Mateusz Damrat, Director of the PGI-NRI.

Planned activities include exchange programs of scientists and experts, training, organisation of joint symposia, conferences, field work and scientific research. The thematic scope of future cooperation is very broad and includes, among others, geological cartography, groundwater research and monitoring, and exchange of experience in the field of exploration, development and extraction of mineral resources.

Signing of a cooperation agreement between the Polish and Congolese parties. From the left:

• HE Piotr Myśliwiec - Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Luanda, Angola,
• Marek Kłoczko - Vice President and Director General of the Polish Chamber of Commerce,
• PhD Piotr Dziadzio - Secretary of State, Chief National Geologist,
• PhD Eng. Mateusz Damrat - Director of the PGI – NRI,
• Prof. Dr Valentin Kanda Nkula - Director General of Centre de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (CRGM),
• Raymond Tchedya Patay - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo,
• HE Clémentine Shakembo Kamanga - Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Poland,
• Rose-Dorée Bokeleale - Deputy General Director of the National L'Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements (ANAPI).
  
  

This new agreement supersedes a memorandum concluded on 27 June 2014 and will be valid for the next five years.

The signing of a cooperation agreement between PGI-NRI and CRGM was one of the main points of the "Business Forum Democratic Republic of Congo - Poland" held on 19 November 2019 in Kinshasa with the participation of Congolese and Polish business partners and business organisations. This, in turn, is part of a broader economic mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo that took place on November 18-21, 2019.

Photo: Courtesy of the National L'Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements