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
GeoZS Hydrogeological Laboratory Joins the GloWAL International Network, July 10, 2026
GeoZS marks the summer of 2026 with a significant international recognition—our hydrogeological laboratory has been accepted…
Microplastics in Groundwater: Challenges, Innovations, and Implications for the Future
An interview with one of the recipients of the Marko Vincenc Lipold Plaque for scientific research, development, and professional achievements…
Geochemical Analysis of a Hydrocarbon Sample from the Ormož-1g Well (Northeastern Slovenia)
This article presents a study that examines the organic geochemical characteristics of a hydrocarbon sample from the well…
GeoZS Representatives at the 2026 World Geothermal Congress, Calgary, Canada, June 8–11, 2026
From June 8 to 11, 2026, the Telus Conference Center in Calgary hosted the World…
MAURICE Project Closing Conference, June 10, 2026
At the closing conference in Jaworzno, Poland, researchers presented solutions for strengthening resilience…
Geological Mapping in Uganda, May 2026
In eastern Uganda, within the Bukusu–Bududa carbonatite complex, researchers participating in the international PanAfGeo+ program…
Research visit by Dr. Janja Svetina to the Polytechnic University of Turin, May–June 2026
Dr. Janja Svetina completed a one-month research visit at the prestigious Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy,…
The Mysterious World of Rocks at Znanstival, May 29–31, 2026
Researchers from GeoZS once again participated in Znanstival. The event is designed to foster curiosity and…
We discovered evidence of a historic earthquake along the Raška Fault, May 2026
In May, our team conducted research in a paleoseismic trench to investigate how, in the area of present-day Virbašnje…
All-Slovenian Energy Conference, May 26–27, 2026
In May, the All-Slovenian Energy Conference (VEK26) was held at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana. The event was…
Events
Outdoor Exhibition, Gallus Embankment, August 27–September 28, 2026
To mark its 80th anniversary, GeoZS invites you to visit an outdoor exhibition, which will be on display from August 27 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....
International Scientific Conference SEGH 2026 in Ljubljana, 13-17 July 2026
The 41st International Scientific Conference on Environmental Geochemistry and Health - SEGH2026 will take place in Ljubljana from 13 to 17 July 2026. The conference will address a wide range of current global challenges in the field of environmental geochemistry and health. The main conference themes are: inorganic and organic pollutants in the geosphere, geochemistry...






