‘The debate on how to redistribute the existing societal value is gaining momentum in society, but we should not neglect those areas where systematic action can help generate and enhance societal value. Studying mineral resources in depth, exploring them and identifying their potential uses is one such area,’ claims Timo Tatar Deputy Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Resources of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, in relation to (International Continental Scientific Drilling Program – ICDP).
‘Participation in the programme will strengthen Estonia’s competence in various areas of geology, which can in turn be applied to energy production and the green transition more generally. The most important issues for Estonia are related to future mineral resources and energy solutions using the Earth’s deep geothermal energy, so that we can take advantage of the resources in the Earth’s crust for heat production in the future, and possibly also for producing the technology needed for renewable energy,’ Tatar adds.
The ICDP is also involved in environmental geology, including earthquakes and landslides, as well as studies on climate change and geological disasters. By joining the programme, Estonian researchers will have the opportunity to participate in various international research consortia and projects. The Estonian ICDP will be represented by the Geological Survey of Estonia under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
According to the Director of the Geological Survey of Estonia Sirli Sipp Kulli joining the drilling programme is important for the development of Estonian geology as a whole. ‘With this we have entered the so-called premiere league of geology. Our geologists have been involved in various ICDP research projects in the past, but being part of the network as a new member country greatly expands our opportunities for cutting-edge scientific cooperation. This, in turn, will give us better knowledge of how to use the resources that are hidden more than a kilometre below the ground for Estonia’s development, so that we can be the wise stewards of our Earth’s crust,’ she explains.
The ICDP network comprises 21 countries in addition to Estonia, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the United States, China, Japan and New Zealand.
