Raw Materials6.11.2025

Finland’s National Exploration Programme Targeted at Critical Raw Materials Handed to the European Commission

Finland’s national exploration programme, required under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, was compiled by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). Commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the programme was handed to the European Commission on 12 September 2025. The objective of the national exploration programmes of the member states is to identify areas with mineral potential, accelerate investments, and ensure the long-term availability of metals that are key in the European green transition.

Each EU country is required to prepare a national exploration programme. The programme is revised every five years, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment responsible for reporting its progress to the European Commission. In Finland, GTK oversees the planning and implementation of the programme.

Finland’s first national exploration programme outlines the background of critical raw material potential in Finland’s bedrock and details the available geodata in the country. It also discusses the general principles guiding the planning and implementation of the programme, along with the goals and measures for each research area. The programme contributes to the overall national knowledge base, which is accessible to any operator.

GTK is continuously assessing the mineral potential of various areas. Therefore, the initial phases of the national exploration programme include several research topics that are already underway at GTK.

The report on the national exploration programme was prepared as part of the Clean Energy System Transition (REPower-CEST) project.

GTK’s role in surveying national and regional mineral potential

GTK investigates mineral systems and ore formation processes, identifying geological environments favourable for the occurrence of exploitable minerals both nationally and regionally.

Companies play a central role in targeted ore exploration (not included in the national exploration programme). They can utilise the geoscientific data and regional expertise produced by GTK to guide investments and ore prospecting activities.

Under the Mining Act, a substantial portion of ore prospecting data and materials produced by companies during exploration activities, such as rock samples drilled from bedrock, must be reported to the state. Afterwards, this data becomes stored under GTK’s management and ultimately accessible to the public.

Five key areas during the first period

The national exploration programme identifies five key study areas for evaluating mineral potential. These areas are marked on the attached map. The graph displays the known potential of critical raw materials (CRM) in each area.

Peräpohja Schist Belt

The area will be surveyed as part of the REPower-CEST project, funded by NextGenerationEU, from 2024 to 2026. The surveys will primarily concentrate on 3D modelling of the geological structures and lithologies across the entire area. For this purpose, new geoscientific data have been gathered, including reflection seismic data. This data will be integrated with existing information to produce a comprehensive 3D model.

Kuusamo Schist Belt

The surveys in Kuusamo mainly take place under the UNDERCOVER project funded by the EU. GTK will also supplement the surveys with seismic reflection studies. Studies are conducted on various scales: from 3D modelling of the entire formation to more detailed surveys focusing on the core part of the formation. The primary goal of these studies is to gather new geophysical data from the area to supplement existing information, helping to better understand the geological history of the schist belt formation and the factors involved in the mineral formation.

Raahe-Ladoga zone

GTK funds the surveys in the area as part of the STRAMIN project. The surveys are carried out regionally at various sites. Data will be primarily acquired through geological and geophysical fieldwork. Existing and field data from the new surveys will be used in modelling to help determine the sites with the most potential for raw materials such as rare earth elements and copper-zinc mineralisations.

Ostrobothnia Schist Belt

Starting from 2026, geological surveys will be carried out in the area to study the bedrock structure, mineralisations, and the potential for lithium and other metals. Field and drilling data, geophysical measurements, and geochemical analytics will be utilised in the surveys to identify sites with potential.

Tuntsa zone (Eastern Lapland)

The geochemical data from GTK’s regional till samples indicate an extensive lithium anomaly in the Tuntsa zone, warranting further investigation into the area’s lithium potential.

The surveys will mainly focus on identifying a potential lithium mineral system. Existing till and drilling data will be re-examined and analysed to gain a clearer understanding of the origin of the regional lithium anomaly. Based on the findings, targeted field inspections and geological mapping will be undertaken in the area, and if required, further research plans will be developed.

Layman’s sample practice continues

GTK’s layman’s sample practice will be incorporated into the scope of the national exploration programme. The layman’s sample practice involves examining and analysing rock samples sent to GTK by amateur geologists. Layman’s samples practice encourages research and discovery of raw material resources within the country. The practice will be increasingly focused on potential CRM samples.