Geological Investigation
Licence for Geological Investigation
To calculate mineral resources, a geological investigation must be conducted. However, before that, a Subsurface Use License must be obtained. This license for geological investigation is an official permit issued by the State Environmental Service, granting the right to carry out geological studies in a specific area. To obtain the Subsurface Use License, an application must be prepared, including the following attachments:
- Work program;
- Documents certifying land ownership;
- List of specialists and drilling equipment.
Once the license has been obtained, drilling and soil sampling can be carried out. The samples are sent to a LATAK-accredited laboratory for material quality testing, while the borehole descriptions (stratigraphic profiles of subsurface layers) are provided to the project designer.
Report
A topographic survey of the site is also required for geological investigation work in order to develop terrain maps.
Afterward, a geological investigation report is prepared and submitted to Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC) for reserves approval. The report includes:
- An explanatory note with a description of the site;
- Material quality assessment based on laboratory test results;
- A topographic map, geological map, hydrogeological map, and geological cross-sections of the area;
- Calculation of mineral reserves, showing the quantity of resources (in m³) located on the property both above and below the groundwater level, which the client can later extract and utilize.
Once LVĢMC approves the report and the reserve calculations, they are forwarded to the State Geological Fund (VĢF)for archiving, and we deliver the completed work to the client.
What is the result of the investigation?
Mineral reserves can be classified into three categories according to the level of detail of the investigation:
- Category A – Explored reserves;
- Category N – Estimated reserves;
- Category P – Predicted reserves.
For Category A explored reserves, the drilling grid within the area has a spacing of 50 to 150 meters between boreholes, depending on the complexity of the terrain and geological conditions.
For Category N estimated reserves, the drilling grid is less dense, with spacing of 150 to 300 meters between boreholes. Category P prospecting work allows for the identification of the presence of mineral resources and the forecasting of extractable reserve volumes.
In Category A reserve exploration, the client receives more detailed information about the subsurface and a more accurate reserve estimate. In contrast, Category N reserves are estimated and approximate, but this type of exploration is less costly.
In addition to geological exploration, we offer:
- assessment of hydrogeological conditions for quarries;
- development of hydrogeological maps
- design, installation, and monitoring of groundwater observation networks;
- calculation of protection zone parameters.
- prepare documentation for obtaining a groundwater deposit permit in accordance with the requirements of Cabinet Regulation No. 696.
