The Central Mining Institute is one of the largest research institutes in Poland. With a large research, equipment and personnel potential, it can adequately respond to the needs of not only mining of mineral resources, but also other sectors of the economy. In accordance with the mission and strategy, the Institute's research results should shape favorable relations between the industrial sphere and man and the natural environment.

Multidirectional activities in the area of ​​sustainable development are one of the priorities of the Central Mining Institute. In the mining industry, mineral raw materials are to ensure its economic efficiency, leading to improvement of living conditions of both employees and the local community, including work safety and care for the condition of the natural environment together with the preservation of access to resources.

From the beginning of the Institute's establishment, the key research problem was occupational safety and technological development of mining, especially in hard coal mines. Therefore, GIG constantly initiates new, innovative research topics, which are our response to the challenges of the contemporary Polish and European economy. They concern such key problems as: development of clean coal technologies, geological storage of CO2, production of hydrogen through underground gasification of coal seams, economic use of methane from coal mines and mine waters, modern technologies of sustainable development in relation to mining areas, research into social changes in industrial regions. These are innovative topics that are of interest not only in Europe, but also in other countries around the world.

Undoubtedly, the priority area of ​​research is today for the Institute of Clean Coal Technologies (CTW), whose development is indispensable for ensuring both the future of Polish coal and the energy security of our country. The term CTW is understood to mean various industrial technologies in which coal is present, both mining and energy and chemical. To conduct the research, a modern laboratory and research complex was opened at the Institute this year: Center of Clean Coal Technologies. Our research activities are related to climate change and clean energy. For several years, the Institute has been strongly involved in the work to develop a safe underground coal gasification technology. Its implementation will allow in the future not only for a better use of coal resources in Polish basins, but also for obtaining a more pure energy carrier. Other projects focus on the reduction of methane emissions emitted during the exploitation of coal seams. They are important both for the sphere of work safety as well as environmental protection and energy use of this gas for economic purposes. Pure geothermal energy contained in mine water pumped to the surface is of similar energetic significance - which is also the subject of interest of GIG research teams.

An important element of the proposed technological solutions is the inclusion of social aspects, especially the social acceptability of a given technology. Therefore, the original methodology for assessing the eco-efficiency of technology was established in GIG, taking into account the principle of sustainable development. Obtaining the status of sustainable development technology is in line with the European Union's policy regarding the implementation of the Environmental Technology Verification System (ETAP - Environmental Technologies Action Plan).

These are just the most important spheres of our activity because it is impossible to mention many other related to surface protection, waste management, water management, air protection, noise prevention, etc. However, it should be emphasized that all research directions undertaken at the Institute contain clear elements of novelty and innovation, and also respond to the needs of our clients' market. It is they who give us scientists higher and higher, because the problems of the modern industry for which the Institute works are more and more difficult and complex.