25The month of May is a special month for us. Every year we celebrate two important events in our history - the ceremonial opening of the Polish Geological Institute on May 7, 1919 and the adoption of the resolution of the Legislative Parliament establishing our institution on May 30, 1919. Traditionally, on the occasion of yet another anniversary of these events, an anniversary session was held in the building of the Geological Museum on May 31, 2021.

The ceremony was atypical, as it was organized under the current sanitary regime and was broadcasted "live" on the Institute's website.

sala Muzeum Geologicznego

The ceremony took place in the main hall of the Geological Museum PGI-PIB. 

This year's anniversary celebrations were honored with the presence of Dr. Piotr Dziadzio, the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Poland’s Chief Geologist and Government Plenipotentiary for National Resources Policy. Inaugurating the anniversary celebrations, he pointed out the new challenges facing the Institute.

During the many years of the Polish Geological Institute's activity, its organizational structure and tasks have changed many times. Now, once again, it is time to take up new challenges and try to adjust the role of the Institute even better to the needs of our country - said Piotr Dziadzio. The Minister outlined the main areas of PGI-NRI future activity, stressing that its tasks should be oriented towards the ongoing energy transformation, ensuring raw material security and adaptation to climate change.

- The three main pillars of the modern geological survey located in the Polish Geological Institute will be energy, raw materials and the environment. We want the Institute to support Poland in acquiring new sources of energy and raw materials necessary for the energy transformation in order to achieve sustainable development - said the Chief National Geologist.

Piotr Dziadzio emphasized that the priorities in the field of geology will be the implementation of tasks from the state administration, collecting and sharing geological information, as well as dissemination of geological knowledge, international cooperation and digitalization. - I cannot imagine the work that is before you without including science in it. Elements of research play an important role in Polish geology and we will strive for the Institute to reach the highest level of scientific excellence - added the Minister.

The Director of PGI-NRI, Mateusz Damrat, PhD, appreciated the contribution of the employees to the development of the Institute. - I would like to thank everyone for managing to complete so many tasks and fulfill so many commitments despite difficulties. Geology is at the forefront of changing reality, as it provides a strong foundation for the economy. I ask you to support the announced changes, because we want to participate in the process of energy transition. And he added: - The past is our capital and let's invest it by looking boldly into the future. Our contribution is essential to the smooth implementation of the energy transition and to guarantee the economy the necessary raw materials. The Geological Survey must always be one step ahead of other institutions to ensure the smooth functioning of the country.

Dyrektor Państwowego Instytutu Geologicznego-PIB dr inż.. Mateusz Damrat przemawia podczas gali jubileuszowej 102-lecia Instytutu

Director of the Polish Geological Institute-NRI Dr. Eng. Mateusz Damrat speaks during the Institute’s 102nd anniversary gala

On the occasion of 102nd anniversary of establishing of the Polish Geological Institute, the efforts and achievements of our employees were honored. There were presented mining degrees, scientific diplomas and an award for an outstanding project carried out in PGI-NRI (the list of awarded persons is presented below). On this occasion, the Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Polish Geological Institute, Prof. Dr. Marek Lewandowski, took the floor and presented the achievements of the newly graduated PhDs and Habilitated PhDs.

Wręczanie stopni górniczych pracownikom PIG-PIB

Presentation of mining degrees to PGI-PIB employees

dyplomy habilitacyjne

Presentation of Habilitation Diplomas

Presentations on selected projects carried out at the Polish Geological Institute were an important part of the Jubilee Grand Session agenda. Lectures were given by: Anna Dąbrowska (Maintaining the Central Geological Archives for Gathering and Sharing Geological Information), Romuald Bieleń (The Research Program on New Groundwater Pollutants for Monitoring of Substances on the Watch List and Expansion of the of Automatic Measurement Apparatus System and Data Transmission from Groundwater Monitoring), prof. Grzegorz Pieńkowski, Ph.D. (Stratigraphic correlations and interpretation of Jurassic atmospheric temperatures based on terrestrial kerogen parameters) and Janusz Jureczka (Deep exploration borehole Orzesze-1 (Upper Silesian Coalfield, abbr. GZW) - performance of specialist research and resultant documentation).

Romuald Bieleń

Selected projects carried out as part of PSH are presented by Romuald Bieleń, M.Sc.

The last item on the agenda was the presentation of the new Deputy Director for Administrative and Economic Affairs, Mr. Mirosław Piskorz, appointed by the Minister of Climate and Environment, Michał Kurtyka, to perform this function from June 1, 2021. The new member of the Board was officially welcomed by Poland’s Chief Geologist, Piotr Dziadzio, who emphasized that the rich professional experience of the new director will ensure the functioning of the Polish Geological Institute and the Polish Geological Survey at the highest level. Mirosław Piskorz has assured that one of his biggest challenges during his work at PGI-NRI will be to optimize management processes and increase the effectiveness of the Institute's operations, also understood as the simplification of administrative matters, which will make it much easier to carry out factual work.

Mirosław Piskorz

Deputy Director for Administration and Economic Issues, Mirosław Piskorz

Another anniversary has brought hope that the coming years will be even better for the Institute and we will achieve the long-awaited stability and peace, while at the same time taking on new and ambitious challenges that will not only strengthen our position, but help in the effective functioning of the country.

Photos gallery



List of awarded and honored persons

Mining Engineer Degree III:

  • Weronika Bureć-Drewniak, Ph.D., for conducting chemical analyses as part of geochemical mapping and groundwater monitoring,
  • Krzysztof Karwacki M.Sc. for the development a methodology for using photogrammetric techniques from a drone to monitor landslide activity,
  • Monika Krzeczyńska, M.Sc., for activity in the protection of geological and mining heritage and the popularization of geological knowledge,
  • Aneta Starościak, M.Sc., for works in hydrogeological cartography and determination of groundwater disposable resources,
  • Joanna Stawierej M.Sc. for works connected with collecting data on mineral deposits and participation in preparing The Balance of Mineral Deposits in Poland.

Mining Engineer Degree II:

  • Michał Jaros, M.Sc. for participating in the creation of the Geoengineering Database and compilation of 11 engineering-geological atlases,
  • Dorota Karmasz, M.Sc. for participating in works on a chemical analyses for geochemical cartography and groundwater monitoring,
  • Dorota Palak-Mazur, M.Sc. for working in the field of chemical groundwater monitoring,
  • Adam Roguski, M.Sc. for his involvement in the compilation of reports, expertise, documentation and geoengineering instructions,
  • Anna Rojek, M.Sc. for works on chemical monitoring and groundwater database,
  • Izabela Samel, M.Sc. for managing the Geoengineering Database and cooperationg in the compilation of geoengineering atlases,
  • Urszula Stępień, PhD, for working on geological cartography and regional 3D geological models,
  • Radosław Wasiluk, Ph.D., for accomplishing tasks connected with geological cartography and protection of geodiversity,
  • Mirosław Krawczyk M.Sc. for compiling of numerous sheets of geological maps and management of field and group work.

Mining Engineering Degree I:

  • Agnieszka Felter, M.Sc. for completing tasks in the field of hydrogeology of ordinary water and therapeutic, thermal and brine water,
  • Ryszard Habryn, M.Sc. for preparing numerous geological projects, documentation of boreholes and deposits, as well as supervision and oversight of geological work,
  • Krzysztof Majer, M.Sc., for conducting work in the field of geological and geoengineering cartography, and for applying many new solutions during the implementation of said work,
  • Tatiana Woroncowa-Marcinowska, Ph.D., for taking care of the Geological Museum collection and for educational and scientific activities,
  • Mariusz Socha, Ph.D., for the implementation of tasks related to the use of water classified as a mineral resource,
  • Krystian Wójcik, Ph.D., for coordinating the tasks of the Geological Survey in the field of petroleum geology.

Doctoral Degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences:

  • Dr. Jaroslaw Kos,
  • Dr. Radosław Wasiluk,
  • Dr. Marcin Wódka.

Habilitation Diplomas:

  • Anna Hrynowiecka, Ph.D.,
  • Marcin Dąbrowski, Ph.D.

Photos: Michal Zielinski
Translated by Tomasz Trzpil (PGI-NRI)

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