The Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME) is a Legal Entity of Public Law, headquartered in the Municipality of Acharnes, Attica, and operating under the supervision of the Minister of Environment and Energy. The mission of the Survey is to investigate and scientifically monitor geological and mineral issues on behalf of the State, to carry out studies, and to provide expert opinions and consultations to individuals and legal entities on matters related to geosciences, geological hazards, the geoenvironment, energy, mining, and other related fields. It is also responsible for conducting geological, hydrogeological, and mineral research across the country, studying the utilization of its underground resources, and exercising regulatory and supervisory functions.
The State, public enterprises, and entities or organizations—either directly or indirectly subsidized or funded by the public sector—may engage the HSGME as a Technical Advisor and make use of its studies and data. This cooperation is particularly relevant for those requiring expert consulting services in fields such as geology, energy, mineral resources, mining, geotechnical and hydrogeological research, environmental studies, and other related disciplines within the Authority’s scope of competence.
HSGME was established in 2019 under Law 4602/2019 (Government Gazette A’ 45/09-03-2019), titled “Research, Exploitation and Management of the Country’s Geothermal Potential, Establishment of the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Ownership Unbundling of Natural Gas Distribution Networks, and Other Provisions.” It constitutes the institutional successor of the historic Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), which, pursuant to the provisions of the above law, was dissolved and placed under liquidation.
The Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME) is the competent Authority for:
• conducting fundamental research on the geological structure and geodynamic regime of Greece,
• mapping the geological structure of both the terrestrial and submarine parts of the country,
• researching and identifying mineral raw materials,
• carrying out hydrogeological and hydrological studies and inspections,
• performing engineering-geological and geotechnical research and studies,
• conducting geothermal exploration, providing evaluations, and preparing studies on geothermal issues,
• preparing advisory reports and providing technical consultations on subjects within the Authority’s competence, including analyses of geological and mineral samples, water samples, solid fuels, mineral raw materials, and gases,
• establishing and operating laboratories that comply with current European standards for the above-mentioned studies,
• carrying out neotectonic and seismotectonic studies,
• preparing studies for the determination of coastal and former coastal boundaries,
• conducting applied mineralogical, petrological, geochemical, and environmental studies,
• performing research and studies on radioactive ores and rock radiation,
• developing technological and environmental applications of mineral raw materials and their by-products, as well as techno-economic studies on ore beneficiation,
• carrying out research aimed at preserving the wealth and diversity of Greece’s geological and geomorphological heritage, including geoarchaeological studies,
• conducting geophysical surveys to map geological structures for the full range of engineering works, as well as for environmental protection, mineral resource exploration, and natural resource management,
• inspecting construction materials for compliance with specifications required for building works—particularly public works—when requested by the competent Ministry. For such inspections, the Authority meets the requirements of accredited Inspection-Certification Bodies or “recognized organizations” as defined in paragraph 4 of Article 158 of Law 4412/2016 (A’ 147),
• preparing techno-economic, feasibility, viability, and management studies related to the Authority’s areas of competence,
• maintaining the National Register of Geothermal Points in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy,
• identifying, recording, researching, and studying geological hazards in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and other competent authorities,
• producing hazard and risk susceptibility maps, and developing response plans for geological hazards at the regional level of local government,
• providing services to the Special Secretariat for Water of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and any other competent body for data collection, archiving, and monitoring of the nation’s hydrological stations,
• providing services to the Directorates of Environmental Licensing, Water Resources Planning and Management, and the Special Coordination Unit for Environmental Actions of the Ministry of Environment and Energy,
• providing services to the Directorate of Biodiversity, Soil and Waste Management, the Directorate of Climate Change, the Coordinating Office for Environmental Damage Response, the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, and the General Secretariat for Civil Protection,
• providing services related to hydrocarbons to the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Management Company S.A. and any other competent authority,
• providing services to the Special Secretariat for the Body of Inspectors and Auditors of the Ministry of Environment and Energy to resolve issues related to mining activity,
• maintaining a public archive for the storage and preservation of drilling cores,
• issuing expert opinions for the competent department of the Ministry of Environment and Energy on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments, in accordance with Joint Ministerial Decision no. 107017/28.8.2006 (Government Gazette B’ 1225), whenever there is geological or mineral interest, and evaluating their technical adequacy,
• issuing opinions on mining and quarrying matters, in accordance with Laws 274/1976 (A’ 50) and 4512/2018 (A’ 5) and Legislative Decrees 4433/1964 (A’ 219) and 210/1973 (A’ 277), as well as when mandated by the Ministry of Environment and Energy,
• providing opinions to the competent Services of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and monitoring the progress of applications submitted by individuals or legal entities for the granting of Mining Exploration Licenses (M.E.L.), whenever requested,
• issuing opinions on the licensing of geoscientific research within Greek territory, in accordance with Decision no. 846/10.2.1973 of the Ministers of National Economy, Culture and Sciences, and Education and Religious Affairs, issued under Article 307 of Law 5343/1932 (A’ 86),
• providing data from its archives for the development of digital geodata databases of entities under Law 3882/2010 (A’ 166),
• publishing and selling geological and thematic maps relevant to the Authority’s responsibilities. Data of a purely geospatial nature are made available in accordance with Articles 11 and 28 of Law 3882/2010 (A’ 166). If such data are intended for commercial use, they are provided following the consent of the National Contact Point of Article 19 of the same law, under the Ministry of Environment and Energy,
• collecting, processing, archiving, and managing, in the public interest, the data resulting from the Authority’s research, studies, and services—particularly laboratory analyses, certifications, evaluations, and inspections,
• carrying out activities both domestically and internationally related to the Authority’s fields of competence,
• utilizing its resources and providing services to third parties,
• representing Greece in international and European geological institutes and organizations.
