The primary duties of the EGK include geological mapping, the maintenance and digitalization of databases relating to subsoil resources, hydrogeological surveillance, geological research of the coastline and seismic monitoring, conduct of geological surveys, and developing skills and making proposals to the government in the field of subsoil exploration and exploitation, spokespeople for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications said.

Professor Alvar Soesoo, longtime leader of the Institute of Geology of Tallinn University of Technology (TTÜ), has been appointed director of the new national agency with a five-year contract.

Rakvere was chosen as the seat of the new EGK as part of a broader government plan to relocate government jobs outside of Tallinn. As of the beginning of the year, three of the agency's 50 statutory jobs were filled by people living in Lääne-Viru County.

Altogether 35 positions at the agency were filled, including 17 by those with a doctorate degree or doctoral candidates.

The EGK will have a permanent council consisting of eight members, including representatives from ministries, the scientific community and employers.