History

On 6 June 2017, the Riigikogu approved the principles of the national earth’s crust policy until 2050. The adoption of this document was a major milestone for the study of the earth’s crust in Estonia. The above-mentioned framework strategy included proposals that constituted an overhaul of the previously existing arrangements for the exploitation of the earth’s crust: to create the capacity for strategic planning of the economic and socio-economic development of the sector and to establish a national geological survey under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. With this, Estonia took a significant step forward after decades of stagnation. A nation’s wealth is directly proportional to how well they understand and how prudently they use their resources, including subsurface resources.

The first geological survey organisation in Estonia is considered to have been Eesti Geoloogiline Komitee (Estonian Geological Committee). Prior to its establishment, geological and other related research in the Republic of Estonia was rather fragmented, with operations scattered across the Mining Board and various small companies.

Landmarks in the history of the national geological survey organisation

• 1937 – Establishment of the state agency Eesti Geoloogiline Komitee at the Ministry of Economic Affairs
• 1957 – Establishment of the state agency Geoloogia ja Maapõue Kaitse Valitsus at the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR
• 1964 – Establishment of the state agency Riiklik Geoloogia Tootmiskomitee at the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR
• 1965 – Establishment of the state agency Geoloogia Valitsus at the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR
• 1987 – Establishment of the state agency Eesti Geoloogia at the Ministry of Geology of the USSR
• 1991 – Establishment of the state enterprise Eesti Geoloogiakeskus at the Ministry of Industry and Energy
• 1993 – Establishment of the state agency Eesti Geoloogiakeskus at the Ministry of the Environment
• 1997 – Establishment of the state-owned company OÜ Eesti Geoloogiakeskus at the Ministry of the Environment
• 2018 – Establishment of the state agency Eesti Geoloogiateenistus (Geological Survey of Estonia) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

International co-operation

• Since 1995, Estonia has been a member of the Forum of European Geological Surveys (FOREGS).
• Since 2003, Estonia has been a member of the Geological Surveys of Europe (EuroGeoSurveys).