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Should the government decide to set up a Geological Survey for the exploration of mineral deposits and the agency be placed under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, from 1.5 to three million euros would have to be allocated to the agency from the state budget per year, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kristen Michal said, cites LETA/BNS.

Pomerants described setting up a systemic program of surveys of the earth's crust and speeding up of geological charting as important.

He said that, according to tentative estimates, at least 10 million euros would be needed until 2025 to conduct surveys relating to resources of the earth's crust, including potential mineral resources.

The Ministry of Environment meanwhile is setting out a strategy for the earth's crust. A long-term, unambiguous resource policy that has been discussed in the society is important both for the investors, who need certainty to make investments and create new jobs, as well as for the whole society in order for the economic and social goals of resource policy and its acceptable environmental impact to be determined with clarity.