Estonia

In 2024, Estonia was the world’s seventh-ranked producer of peat, accounting for 7.0% (estimated) of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cement, clay, limestone, lead (refined), lime, niobium (refined), rare earths, sand and gravel, sulfur, and tantalum (refined). Production of mineral commodities contributed about 2.39% to Estonia’s gross domestic product (GDP). Specifically, mining and quarrying contributed 0.52%; the manufacture of metals and metal products, 1.39%; and the manufacture of non-metallic commodities, 0.48%. In the 2021–24 timeframe, 4% of United States imports of niobium oxide and 5% of United States imports of rare-earth compounds and metals originated in Estonia.  

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Estonia is provided by Earth’s Crust Act of 2016. The Ministry of Climate oversees the mineral sector; the Environmental Board, Keskkonnaamet, provides mineral exploration and mining permits; and the Geological Survey of Estonia provides services related to geologic mapping, geologic surveys, and preserves and ensures access to geologic information. Most mineral commodities were produced by private foreign-owned companies.