Geological Survey of Estonia

The Geological Survey of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti Geoloogiakeskus, EGK) was a state-owned limited company (riigi osaühing) based in Tallinn, Estonia, that provided geological services. Its work included geological mapping and the identification and assessment of construction materials, energy raw materials and other mineral resources. The organisation produced diverse information about the subsurface (maapõu) of Estonia. The institution's roots reach back to the Geological Committee established by decree on 3 June 1937, whose activity ended in 1940. In 1957 a Government of Geology and Subsurface Protection was founded under the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR, renamed the Estonian SSR Geology Administration in 1965. A State Geological Production Committee was formed in 1964, and in 1987 the state institution Estonian Geology was created under the USSR Ministry of Geology. In 1991 the Geological Survey of Estonia was established under the Ministry of Industry and Energy, and from 1993 it fell within the area of government of the Ministry of the Environment. On 1 March 1997 it was converted into a state-owned limited company. From 1993 the survey was led by Vello Klein. EGK joined the European Geological Surveys Forum (FOREGS) in 1995 and became a member of EuroGeoSurveys, the association of the geological surveys of the European Union member states, on 1 July 2003. In early 2018 the Estonian Geological Survey (Eesti Geoloogiateenistus) began operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, taking over the contractual rights and obligations of the Geological Survey of Estonia. The new service was created on the basis of the 2017 Riigikogu strategic document "Bases of Subsurface Policy until 2050". The company is therefore no longer active under its former form.

The institutional history of Estonia's geological survey begins with the Geological Committee, established by decree on 3 June 1937; its activity ended in 1940. In 1957, under the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR, a Government of Geology and Subsurface Protection was founded, renamed the Estonian SSR Geology Administration in 1965. A State Geological Production Committee was formed under the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR in 1964. In 1987, the state institution Estonian Geology was created under the USSR Ministry of Geology. In 1991, the Geological Survey of Estonia (Eesti Geoloogiakeskus) was established under the Ministry of Industry and Energy. From 1993 it belonged to the area of government of the Ministry of the Environment. On 1 March 1997 it was reorganised into a state-owned limited company (riigi osaühing). From 1993 the survey was directed by Vello Klein. The organisation provided geological services such as geological mapping and the identification of construction materials, energy raw materials and other resources, and produced diverse information about the subsurface. Internationally, it became a member of the European Geological Surveys Forum (FOREGS) in 1995 and joined EuroGeoSurveys, the association of geological surveys of the European Union member states, on 1 July 2003. In early 2018, the Estonian Geological Survey (Eesti Geoloogiateenistus) began operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and the contractual rights and obligations of the Geological Survey of Estonia were transferred to it. The creation of the new service was based on the 2017 Riigikogu strategic document "Bases of Subsurface Policy until 2050". With this transfer, the Geological Survey of Estonia ceased to operate in its former form.

• 2018

  Estonian Geological Survey began operating; EGK's contractual rights and obligations transferred to it.

• 2017

  Riigikogu adopted the strategic document "Bases of Subsurface Policy until 2050".

• 2003

  Became a member of EuroGeoSurveys on 1 July.

• 1997

  Converted into a state-owned limited company on 1 March.

• 1995

  Joined the European Geological Surveys Forum (FOREGS).

• 1993

  Survey came under the Ministry of the Environment; Vello Klein began leading it.

• 1991

  Geological Survey of Estonia established under the Ministry of Industry and Energy.

• 1987

  State institution Estonian Geology created under the USSR Ministry of Geology.

• 1965

  Government of Geology and Subsurface Protection renamed Estonian SSR Geology Administration.

• 1964

  State Geological Production Committee formed under the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR.

• 1957

  Government of Geology and Subsurface Protection founded under the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR.

• 1940

  Geological Committee's activity ended.

• 1937

  Geological Committee established by decree on 3 June.

State geological survey and subsurface information provider for Estonia.

• Geological mapping

• Construction materials surveys

• Energy raw materials surveys

• Subsurface information products

1. 1Geological Survey of Estonia – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Eesti Geoloogiakeskus – Vikipeediaet.wikipedia.org