Two years ago, entrepreneurs from the Amber Galbin group of companies met scientists from the Department of Geology and Hydrology of the National University of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Sciences. Since then, they have been consulting with the scientists on how to effectively conduct geological exploration, extract amber, and make an environmental impact assessment. The entrepreneurs are firmly convinced that only by learning can they achieve success! We talked about the interaction between business and science with Viktor Melnychuk, Doctor of Geological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Geology and Hydrology of the National University of Oil and Gas Industry of Ukraine.
First of all, the scientist said, the development of science has not stopped despite the current difficult circumstances:
Many of the department's researchers and students went to war, and the investment climate has deteriorated. At the same time, many conferences are held offline. At Kryvyi Rih University, the conference was held under the sound of rocket fire.
Why is it beneficial for subsoil users to cooperate with scientists?
Currently, the Amber Galbin group of companies has more than twenty special permits for geological exploration and extraction of amber. However, how can one determine the deposits of amber in certain areas? There are no other data except for the traces left by prospectors, says Viktor Melnychuk.
How much amber, where does it lie, in what conditions, how much water is in those horizons? The miners were faced with many other questions. And they had no specialists.
You need to lick rock salt to learn geology
That is why fifteen employees of the Amber Galbin Group companies started studying at the educational programs of the Department of Geology and Hydrology of NUOGP. In December, six of them graduated with a master's degree in Geology.
Self-education provides incomplete knowledge. If used incorrectly, it will bring disastrous results for their business. Here (in the audience - ed.) you have rocks and minerals in front of you. How can you comprehend their organoleptic properties via the Internet? You need to hold that mineral in your hand, even lick it with your tongue to feel that it is rock salt.
Subsoil users studied subjects directly related to their production. For example, "Fundamentals of search, extraction and diagnostics of amber", "Reclamation of disturbed lands", "Geological and economic assessment of mineral deposits".
Businessmen help scientists
For their part, the entrepreneurs equipped a branch for the Department of Geology and Hydrology at the National University, said Viktori Melnychuk.
Students, teachers, and scientists hold classes and live in a special room during internships.
We went on routes around the territory, worked in a quarry, at geological research sites and gained competencies on the job!
International project
In 2023, together with subsoil users, the scientists went on excursions, including to the museum of precious stones in Khoroshev, Zhytomyr region.
At the request of subsoil users, the Burshtyn Polissya guidebook was published, said Viktor Melnychuk.
And recently, in Warsaw and Lublin, subsoil users from Amber Galbin Group held a business meeting with entrepreneurs from Polish companies. The Poles were advised by their professor, while Viktor Melnychuk and Yulia Trach represented the Ukrainian side.
Plans for 2024
This year.According to Viktor Melnychuk, scientists plan to deepen international cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish subsoil users. In addition, they plan to establish cooperation between our National University and the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow, the main Polish university that trains geologists, miners, and environmentalists for subsoil use.
Together with entrepreneurs, we are planning to assess the transformation of disturbed lands by illegal amber mining. That is, to determine how the miners' extraction has affected geological conditions, vegetation and soil cover, groundwater and surface water. It will be a comprehensive project," the professor concluded the interview.
Watch the video at the link below.