On 16 September 2025, the Geological Survey of Estonia will host the international conference “Social License to Operate: Responsible Mineral Exploration” at the Hestia Hotel Europa in Tallinn. The event, organised under the EGT-TWINN project in cooperation with the Geological Surveys of Finland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, as well as the Oulu Mining School, will gather experts from across Europe to address one of the most crucial – and sometimes challenging – aspects of mineral exploration: earning and maintaining the trust of local communities.

The second day of the Geothermal and District Heating Conference brought another rich and rewarding program, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in developing sustainable geothermal energy systems across the Baltic region and beyond.

The first day of the Geothermal and District Heating Conference in Tallinn concluded with inspiring presentations, lively discussions, and an atmosphere of genuine curiosity and collaboration. We bring here the photo insight from today.

Tallinn, June 10–11, 2025 — Estonia is preparing to host a landmark event in its national green energy transition. The Geological Survey of Estonia (EGT), in collaboration with European geological surveys and research institutions, will organize the Geothermal and District Heating Conference to advance the knowledge, policy frameworks, and real-world application of geothermal energy.

I’m Richard Pihel, a second-year geology student at the University of Tartu, and this spring I was given a unique opportunity to join the EGT-TWINN project as a trainee. As part of the program, I was offered the chance to participate in a sedimentology training course in Scotland—an offer too good to pass up, and I immediately accepted.