We focus on critical and strategic minerals, key to the green and digital transition and sustainable mineral management in line with European guidelines and legislation (Critical Raw Materials Act) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
We pursue the objectives of sustainable mineral management through our professional and scientific research activities, the evaluation of resources and reserves, the monitoring of production and use of mineral raw materials, and the operation of a public service for the mining of geological raw materials. In the extraction of mineral and energy raw materials, we support technologies that ensure as far as possible a green transition and minimise negative impacts on the environment.
In the field of non-metallic minerals, we work with industry to maximise self-reliance, public availability of data and the principles of open science in the publication of research results.
We study and maintain knowledge on metallic mineral resources. We monitor global trends in the supply of metallic mineral raw materials, in particular critical raw materials, which are now becoming crucial for their use in modern technologies. Using modern research methods and state-of-the-art analytical techniques, we examine the extent to which these elements may also be present in Slovenia and neighbouring countries.
In the field of energy raw materials, we are working to maintain and improve our comprehensive knowledge of the deposits of these raw materials. We are involved in the international exchange of information on such deposits and respond to the demand for our knowledge from active mining installations.
Strategic objectives
1. conducting fundamental and applied research in the field of mineral and energy raw materials, with a focus on critical (CRM) and strategic mineral raw materials (StRM) throughout their life cycle.
2. Implementing, maintaining and upgrading mineral and energy commodity inventories for sustainable management in the light of the Green Transition.
3. Establish a European Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Resource Management.
Activities
To achieve our strategic objectives, we are implementing the following activities:
- We maintain and improve our mineral-related core knowledge and regularly update our mineral-related maps.
- Updating the Continuous updating of the geological base map with information on mineral and energy resources, and updating and production of thematic maps of narrower and wider areas.
- We implement rresearch into the potential of different materials for use as secondary mineral raw materials - with a focus on secondary minerals from mining and ore processing and their CRM content.
- Introducing UNFC classification for natural resources in accordance with the Slovenian methodology.
- We operate a public mining service and manage Mining book in accordance with the Constitutive Act and the ZRud-1.
- We are working to obtain a national research programme in the field of minerals.
- We are involved in defining and deciding on the criticality of minerals at EU level and in transferring acceptable practices to strategic partners outside the EU.
- We are working to establish a European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Resource Management in the field of minerals, based at GeoZS.
Projects
Read the latest news
Outdoor Exhibition “Beneath the Surface—Geosciences for the Cities of the Future,” August–September 2026
To mark its 80th anniversary, GeoZS set up an outdoor exhibition titled “Under…” on Gallus Embankment in Ljubljana…
Drought After Drought
We spoke with Dr. Luka Serianz, a researcher in the Department of Groundwater—Hydrogeology, about this year’s…
Geothermal Energy at the Congress on the Pannonian Basin in Moravske Toplice, September 10, 2026
At the conference, Andrej Lapanje, M.A., presented the current status of deep geothermal projects in Slovenia and…
Introducing Our Projects – Capitan Maurice
Capitan Maurice – Implementing Solutions for Urban Water Resource Management in Central Europe GeoZS…
Geology Workshops for Elementary School Students, September 2 and 10, 2026
In September, we organized an event for the 5th-grade students at the Višnja Gora branch school and the Stična Elementary School…
Introducing Our Projects – RISE DHC
RISE DHC — Resilient Investment Plans to Support Efficient New District Heating and Cooling Systems…
Drought After Drought, Guest Column, Delo, September 8, 2026
We invite you to read the “Guest Column” section in *Delo*, September 8, 2026.
New Doctors of Science – Dr. Barbara Čeplak
On September 2, 2026, Dr. Barbara Čeplak successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled “The Distribution of the Main…”
Visit by GeoZS Representatives to the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia, August 28, 2026
Peter Lovšin, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia, met with…
Characterization of Selected Bauxite Profiles in Slovenia with an Emphasis on the Distribution of Rare Earth Elements (REE)
The study described in this article presents the first systematic geochemical and mineralogical analysis of rare earth element (REE) content…
Events
International Day of Geodiversity, October 6, 2026
In October, we will celebrate International Geodiversity Day, which is dedicated to raising awareness about geological, geomorphological, and hydrological diversity and its importance for society and sustainable development. This year’s theme, “Geodiversity On Our Doorstep,” was selected based on a Slovenian proposal that emphasizes that…
Outdoor Exhibition, Gallus Embankment, August 28–September 28, 2026
To mark its 80th anniversary, GeoZS invites you to visit an outdoor exhibition, which will be on display from August 28 to September 28 on Gallus Embankment in Ljubljana.The exhibition will introduce visitors to modern methods and equipment for exploring the Earth’s surface and subsurface—from advanced geophysical measurements and remote sensing…
8th Regional Scientific Meeting on Quaternary Geology, Čatež ob Savi, 4-6 November 2026
The 8th Regional Scientific Meeting for Quaternary Geology - 8th RMQG will take place in Čatež ob Sava from 4 to 6 November 2026. The theme of the meeting, "Early Quaternary Records", will be the focus of invited lectures and excursions.The event is an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas and to strengthen cooperation between researchers....









