The Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute (PGI-NRI) has signed an agreement with the National Geological Survey (NGS) of Mongolia for the project entitled 'Exploration of critical raw materials in Mongolia – identification of molybdenum and tungsten areas'.

The document was signed by the Deputy Director for Geological Survey, Dr Andrzej Głuszyński, and the Acting Director of the NGS, Dr Uyanga Bolt. The ceremony took place on 25 April 2023 at the seat of the Mongolian Parliament, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükha.

Mongolia is a country characterised by a great diversity and abundance of mineral deposits. Significant quantities of gold, copper, uranium and coal, among others, have been documented in the country. The country is a potential area for exploration, documentation and exploitation of a considerable proportion of the deposits of critical raw materials on the European Commission's list of critical raw materials.

To activate Mongolia's resource potential, a number of activities are being carried out by both state and private entities. With reference to the Cooperation Agreement concluded on 24 November 2021 between PGI-NRI and NGS, the geological services of both countries decided to jointly implement a research project in the Mongolian province of Bayankhongor.

The three-year collaboration aims to identify and geologically evaluate data for the detection of critical raw materials, as well as their advanced analysis and interpretation. An additional objective is the development of PGI-NRI and NGS scientific staff in the identification of accumulations and studies of magmatic and metamorphic rocks.

The ceremonial signing of the agreement in the presence of the presidents of both countries is a prelude to joint activities that will be initiated already during this quarter of 2023. The importance of the project's implementation was highlighted in the speech of the President of Poland during the official press conference: 'These most important agreements that have been concluded today (...) concern development issues for the coming years, they concern cooperation in those areas that are of particular interest to us today. First of all, we would say that these are the issues of joint geological activities. We hope – in the future – also joint mining activities. (...).

Mongolia is a particularly important partner; it is an extremely promising country. It is a country that is not only beautiful, magnificent, but also abundant in all kinds of natural resources, in huge natural resources and exciting potential. We very much want this cooperation with Mongolia in the future. Hence the international agreements which have been signed today, including with regard to elements, critical mineral resources and their joint exploration and, in the future, hopefully, mining. These are issues which are extremely important today for the development of modern technologies in the world. In this area, too, we want cooperation between our countries. We discussed all these issues in detail with the President today.'

After the official ceremony, a PGI-NRI delegation consisting of Deputy Director for Geological Survey Dr Andrzej Głuszyński and Project Manager Radomir Pachytel, M.Sc. held talks with NGS representatives to clarify the scope and timetable of joint studies.

The following day, a PGI-NRI delegation, accompanied by the Undersecretary of State, Chief National Geologist, Dr Piotr Dziadzio, attended a meeting with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Mines and Heavy Industry, Bayaraa Byambadagva, where the possibility of expanding cooperation in the area of geological research and commercial projects in hydrocarbons and metallic raw materials was discussed.

Meeting with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Mines and Heavy Industry Bayaraa Byambadagva

The last point was a visit by PGI-NRI staff at the Geological Center for Research and Analysis, where the spectrum of activities carried out by the institution was presented along with laboratory equipment and opportunities for research cooperation within the Project.

Visit of PGI-NRI staff at the Geological Center for Research and Analysis