Ukraine and Poland sign memorandum on cooperation in geology, mineral resources

MOSCOW. June 24 (Interfax) - Ukraine's State Service of Geology and Subsoil Resources and the Polish Geological Institute-National Research Institute signed a memorandum of mutual understanding in geology and mineral resources at a ceremony in Warsaw, Ukrainian media quoted the Ukrainian service's general director Roman Opimakh as saying on social media.

"Priority in this cooperation will be given to the digitalization of secondary geological information, steps to bring the management of primary geological information in line with EU standards, and regulation of activities involving geothermal energy sources," Opimakh said.

The Ukrainian embassy in Poland, for its part, said on social media that the memorandum will help further promote the two countries' cooperation in geological exploration projects and will accelerate the flow of Polish investment into Ukraine's mining industry, a move that will be key to Ukraine's restoration in general.

According to Opimakh, this format allows the two countries to cooperate in conducting survey and geological research of subsoil resources, to exchange experience in unifying legislation in the mining sector, and to study conditions for waste disposal and for the storage of useful substances in geological structures.

Furthermore, the sides will jointly analyze the best practices in terms of collection, storage and open access to geological data and will invite experts to carry out a feasibility study to assess the prospects of developing Ukrainian deposits of critical raw materials as part preparations for a transition to green technology.

"The document has been adopted for a five-year period," Opimakh said.