DEPARTMENT OF MINERALOGY & PETROGRAPHY.
The Department of Mineralogy and Petrography (TOP) belongs to the Directorate of Mineral Resources and Mining (DOPME) of E.A.G.M.E. The Department of Mineralogy and Petrography (TOP) is responsible for:
- Carrying out mineralogical and petrographic studies of rocks, soils, aggregates, natural materials, and geo-archaeological objects,
- Performing laboratory analyses and examinations to identify minerals or elements in the air that may be harmful to human health,
- Managing the museum collections and the Minerals and Rocks Museum of the Authority,
- Organizing and coordinating school visits to the Authority’s facilities,
- Providing testing services for natural and artificial materials to private clients, companies, public organizations, and local authorities. For construction materials used in public works, testing is carried out in accordance with Article 158 of Law 4412/2016 (A’ 147), following agreement with the relevant Ministry.
Areas of Work and Activities
Mineralogical – Petrographic Studies
- Supporting ore deposit research within EU-funded programs (e.g., ESPA), competitive projects, contracts with third parties (private companies, engineering firms, municipalities, etc.), particularly in the field of aggregates,
- Collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Services, and museums on the preservation and conservation of archaeological monuments, including analyses of excavated artifacts (archaeometallurgical products, jewelry, sculptures, etc.),
- Contributing to major engineering projects such as road construction, railways, dams, and infrastructure,
- Addressing environmental issues, including mine-site restoration and soil contamination from metallurgical or mining activities,
- Examining materials relevant to public health, such as asbestos, crystalline silica, and hexavalent chromium,
- Preparing geological samples (thin sections, polished sections, etc.) for optical and electron microscopy, on behalf of universities, technical institutes, and other educational institutions.
In addition, the Department of Mineralogy and Petrography operates specialized laboratories. More information is available here: Mineralogy and Petrography Laboratories.
Minerals, Rocks, and Fossils Museum
The Museum is housed on the ground floor of the new E.A.G.M.E. building in the Olympic Village – Thrakomakedones. Its collection includes around 800 mineral, rock, and fossil specimens from Greece and abroad. The Museum is open to school groups, private visitors, and university students. The Museum of Minerals and Rocks of E.A.G.M.E. holds one of the most important collections in Greece. Every year, as part of educational programs organized by the Department of Mineralogy and Petrography of the Directorate of Mineral Resources and Mining, hundreds of schoolchildren from primary and secondary education visit the Museum.
Visitors also include researchers, geologists, and private individuals. In this context, the Museum has become an important geological point of interest in Greece. The collection is continuously enriched with new mineral, rock, and fossil specimens from across the country, often donated by E.A.G.M.E. staff. Significant donations have also been made by individuals and institutions. In addition to Greek specimens, the collection also includes selected samples from abroad.
For more information about the Minerals and Rocks Museum of E.A.G.M.E., please visit the following link:
Read more about the other departments of the Directorate of Mineral Resources and Mining (DOPME) of E.A.G.M.E.:
Department of Ore Deposit and Mining Research (KOIME)
Department of Geochemistry and Environment (GEP)
Department of Mineral Raw Materials Technology and Metallurgy (TEOPYM)