Cyprus Geological Survey Department/ Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
The Geological Survey Department is the technical adviser of the state for all geo-matters. In particular, it is the responsible government service for the undertaking of research and studies, as well as the granting of advice on geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, ore body evaluation, geophysical, seismological and geo-environmental matters. Our mission, as the national agency and state councilor for geological matters, is the safeguard of the public interest thought the identification, the exploitation and protection of mineral and groundwater resources, the investigation and assessment of the geological environment and geohazards, the monitoring and assessment of seismicity, the investigation of the foundation conditions, the protection and promotion of sites of geological and mining heritage and the production and dissemination of unbiased geo-information to society. The department is actively cooperating with other departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and other governmental departments, while at the same time it maintains close cooperation with academic and research institutions both in Cyprus and abroad, through which scientific knowledge is promoted. The department has specialized scientific and technical staff and operates modern seismological center and network, drilling rigs and specialized laboratories and equipment, including a thin section preparation laboratory.
Key Personnel
Dr Costas Constantinou is the director of the Cyprus Geological Survey, a governmental department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. After graduating from the University of Athens in geology, he got a diploma from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in Hydrogeology and a PhD degree from the Patra University, in Hydrogeology. In 1993 he joined the Cyprus Geological Survey as Geological Officer (Hydrogeologist) and he has held several scientific and management positions and from May 2016 he was appointed Director of the Survey. His research interest is focused in geology, hydrogeology and hydrochemistry. He is the chair and member in several national committees and national representative in a number of international organizations. His vision is the pursuit of excellence in the efficient provision of services in the fields of geosciences to government organizations, industry, academia and society.
Mr Christodoulos Hadjigeorgiou is the head of the Economic Geology Section of the Cyprus Geological Survey, a governmental department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. He got a BSc and MSc in geology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York, USA. After a longstanding experience as geologist in private quarrying companies, in 2001 he joined the Cyprus Geological Survey as Geological Officer. He specializes in geology and mineral resources (e.g. mineralogy, petrography, quality control of industrial minerals, rehabilitation of abandoned mines and quarries, sustainable development of natural resources), and his research interest are focused within these domains, including restoration of abandoned mines, and especially, in handling pollution issues. He is member in several national committees and member in a number of national and international organizations/ associations. His vision is the pursuit of excellence in the efficient provision of services in the fields of geosciences to government organizations, industry, academia and society. He is skilled in making thin sections.
Mr Christos Christofi is a senior geological officer at the Cyprus Geological Survey, a governmental department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. After graduating from Rutgers State University in 1996 in geology, he got his MSc from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Environmental Science (Environmental Hydrology). During this period he also worked as a research and teaching assistant in both universities. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the Cyprus Institute. In 1999 he joined the Hellenic Copper Mines where he worked up to 2001 as a mine and environmental geologist. He then joined the Cyprus Geological Survey as a geological officer (Hydrogeologist) and he has held several scientific and management positions and he currently holds the position of senior geological officer. His research interest focuses on geology, hydrogeology and hydrochemistry. He is a member of several national committees and a national delegate in a number of EU committees. His vision is the pursuit of hydrogeological and hydrochemical research in the fields of hydrogeology, hydrochemistry and geosciences.
Mr Michael Rigas is a geological officer at the Cyprus Geological Survey, a governmental department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. After graduating from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2007 in geology, he got his MSc in geophysics from the same University. During his MSc he focused his research on electrical and electromagnetic methods. On January 2007, he started his career as geologist with the Cyprus Institute of Energy where he spent a year working in the interpretation of seismic data. From December of 2007 up to today he is with Cyprus Geological Survey as a geological officer (Hydrogeologist) and focuses his research in groundwater prospecting, protection and exploitation.
