News
Raw Materials

Geological Survey of Finland to Lead €7.5 Million Central Asia Critical Raw Materials Project

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) continues to strengthen its position on the international stage. A new project was announced at the EU–Central Asia Economic Forum, that the European Union currently regards as the most important regional cooperation initiative in the field of critical raw materials. GTK will take the lead role as coordinator of the project.

A group of people standing on a stage with the text "Enhancing geodata management" in the background. Two people are shaking hands in the front while people take photos.
The exchange of signed agreements took place between Peteris Ustubs (Director for Middle East, Asia and Pacific, DG INTPA), Ilkka Räisänen (Roving Ambassador for Central Asia) and Kimmo Tiilikainen (Director General of GTK). The event was attended by EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela and statesmen from Central Asian countries.

The Data4CRM project aims to enhance the capacity for collecting, managing, analysing and disseminating data related to critical raw materials in the target countries. It will also improve the attractiveness of these countries as investment destinations by increasing access to geological information.

Capacity building actions will be tailored and prioritised according to each country’s key needs. All five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – can participate in the project. The project will start in December 2025 and run until the end of 2029. Its budget is €7.5 million. Funding will come mainly from the European Union, with co-financing from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

“I am pleased that GTK’s expertise and experience are highly valued by the European Commission and Central Asian countries. Our role is significant in implementing the EU’s raw material partnerships both in Africa and Central Asia. At the same time, we can promote the export of Finnish companies’ expertise and technologies,” says Kimmo Tiilikainen, Director General of GTK.

Central Asian countries, like Finland, have significant mineral potential, with a wide range of valuable minerals in their bedrock. In Finland, systematic work has been carried out for decades to map mineral potential and collect geological data.

GTK invests substantial resources annually in producing datasets and maintaining and developing related information systems and services. GTK also conducts research and data collection and analysis related to mining environments. Finnish expertise is in international demand, as critical raw materials, associated data resources and challenges linked to mining environments are playing an increasingly important role.

In Uzbekistan, GTK will implement part of the project in cooperation with partners from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and France.

Further information

Kimmo Tiilikainen, Director General
Geological Survey of Finland GTK
kimmo.tiilikainen@gtk.fi
Tel. +358 29 503 2200

Markus Valkama, Geologist, Project Manager
Geological Survey of Finland GTK
markus.valkama@gtk.fi
Tel. +358 29 503 0005