The Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute signed a cooperation agreement with the Geological and Mining Survey of Argentina – SEGEMAR (Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino) during this year's ArminerA 2023 and EU LATAM Convention Raw Materials 2023 mining fair. 

The ceremonial signing of the document took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Buenos Aires in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Dr. Piotr Dziadzio, the Secretary for Mining in the Ministry of Economy of Argentina Fernanda Avila and the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Argentine Republic, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay and the Republic of Paraguay Aleksandra Piątkowska.

The cooperation agreement, which has been the subject of advanced bilateral negotiations in recent months, was officially signed on 22 May 2023 by PGI-NRI Deputy Director for Geological Survey Dr Andrzej Głuszyński and SEGEMAR Director Eduardo Zappettini.

This document is intended to provide the foundations for joint research projects. The scope of cooperation defined in the Agreement includes, e.g.:

1. geological prospecting and evaluation of mineral deposits, particularly regarding critical and strategic raw materials,
2. use of geophysical surveys to search for and analyse the occurrence of mineral deposits and groundwater,
3. identification and recommendation of measures to prevent geohazards,
4. regional geology, stratigraphy and geochronology, management of geological information and development of geological information systems, cooperation in assessing geothermal potential.

During bilateral negotiations, it was agreed that, in line with the interest of both parties, the first joint activities would concern geological exploration of copper and metal ore deposits in Argentina, research related to the Antarctic area, as well as geochronology and monitoring of geohazards. Participation in the international trade fair also provided the opportunity to hold a number of meetings with representatives of other South American geological services – from Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico – as well as with the authorities of the Argentine province of San Juan.

Signing of the Cooperation Agreement between PGI-NRI and SEGEMAR ceremony. From left: SEGEMAR Director Eduardo Zappettini, Secretary for Mining in the Ministry of Economy of Argentina Fernanda Avila, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Piotr Dziadzio, PGI-NRI Deputy Director for Geological Survey Andrzej Gluszyński

Polish delegation after signing of the Cooperation Agreement ceremony at the Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires. From left: Radomir Pachytel (PGI-NRI), Michał Nowosielski (Ministry of the Climate and Environment), Piotr Dziadzio (Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment), Aleksandra Piątkowska (Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Argentine Republic, Eastern Republic of Uruguay and Republic of Paraguay), Andrzej Głuszyński (Deputy Director of the Geological Survey of PGI-NRI), Katarzyna Cholewińska (Political and Economic Affairs Desk, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Buenos Aires)

Following the signing of the agreement, during a special event at the La Rural congress centre, Deputy Minister Piotr Dziadzio presented the most important aspects of Poland's Raw Materials Policy, and Director Andrzej Gluszyński presented the most important directions of geological research carried out by PGI-NRI for the purpose of ensuring Poland's raw materials security.

Dr Andrzej Gluszyński presents a report on PGI-NRI's activities in deposit geology at the ArminerA 2023 mining fair

Photos: Fernando Minnicelli