Planet Earth represents the basis for all our lives, its resources are limited.

This is why BGR is committed to protecting the human habitat and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

As the German Centre of Excellence for geosciences, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) advises and informs the Federal Government on all issues relating to geosciences and natural resources. BGR performs duties in the following fields: mineral resources, energy resources, groundwater, soil, final disposal of radioactive waste, subsurface use, nuclear test ban, geo-hazard assessment and international cooperation in the geosector. BGR has been conducting marine research for more than 50 years. Its marine work focuses on raw material potentials in frontier areas, including the analysis of potential environmental impacts related to raw material exploitation. On behalf of the German Federal government, BGR holds exploration licenses for manganese nodules (Pacific) and massive sulphides (Indian Ocean).