Igme Instituto Geológico y Minero de España

What Igme Instituto Geológico y Minero de España does

Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME) is Spain's national geological survey and a public research organism (Organismo Público de Investigación) operating under the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Founded in 1849 by royal decree from Queen Isabella II, IGME holds the statutory mandate under Law 42/2007 to conduct national geological cartography, mineral resources inventory, and geological heritage assessment across all Spanish territory, including the Balearic and Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Its primary outputs are the complete MAGNA geological map series (1,143 map sheets at 1:50,000 scale), the GEODE continuous digital cartography program, the Geochemical Atlas of Spain (covering 62 chemical elements across ~36,000 samples), and specialized databases for water points, mineral resources, geophysics, hydrocarbons, ground movements, and Quaternary-active faults.

IGME's core technology platform is the InfoIGME web portal, which provides free public access to 2,200+ geological and mining datasets, an advanced search system (ISE), a generic cartographic viewer, and 167 geo-scientific web applications. The platform supports WMS, ArcGIS Server, and Google Earth clients, enabling integration with third-party GIS systems used by government agencies, academic researchers, and the mining/energy sector. Field operations are supported by the INGEOTAB mobile application and the institution maintains analytical laboratories (chemical water analysis, petrography, geotechnical testing) and the Geominero Museum. IGME participates in international consortia including EuroGeoSurveys, the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI), the Topo-Iberia project, and serves as technical secretariat for UNESCO's Spanish Geoparks Committee.

The business model is primarily non-commercial: IGME is funded through Spanish government appropriations with data and cartography provided free of charge via open-access portals. Revenue-generating activities are limited to sales of physical publications, cartographic products, and specialized laboratory services to government agencies, regional authorities, and the private sector. Customer segments are dominated by Spanish government agencies (ministries, autonomous communities, municipal authorities), with secondary demand from the scientific research community, the mining/energy sector, and educational institutions and the general public. Distribution is primarily through self-service digital channels, with regional collaboration agreements and a publications service for physical products.

Name

Igme Instituto Geológico y Minero de España

Legal name

Instituto Geológico y Minero de España

Website

https://info.igme.es

Company type

Public

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME) is Spain's national geological survey, operating as a public research institution under the Ministry of Science since 1849. It provides free public access to geological maps, mineral and hydrogeological databases, and geochemical data covering all Spanish territory, serving government agencies, researchers, and the mining sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geological Survey Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Mining (213), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mine Surveying & Geospatial Services (Survey, Drone/LiDAR, GIS, Grade Control) (IMAKAKAK), Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAL), Location Intelligence, Analytics & Geospatial BI (BPAMANAE), Minerals, Mining & Geologic Resources Administration (BPAIAMAJ), Geotechnical, Hydrogeological & Seismic Engineering (Slope Stability, Ground Support, Dewatering) (IMAKAOAN)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Mineral resources data
• Geological cartography
• Hydrogeological databases
• Geochemical mapping

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: IGME operates as a public research institution under the Spanish Ministry, funded through government budgets for geological research, cartography, and mineral resources assessment
2. Data Services and Publications: Revenue generation through sale of specialized publications, cartographic products, and technical consulting services to government agencies and private sector
3. Laboratory Services: Analytical and mineralogical laboratory services including chemical analysis of waters, petrographic analysis, geotechnical testing, and official characterization of natural mineral waters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IGME operates as Spain's national geological and mining research institute, providing comprehensive geo-scientific data, cartographic products, and specialized databases covering the entire Spanish territory. The institute distributes its geological information primarily through the InfoIGME digital portal (2,200+ datasets), the MAGNA 1:50,000 geological map series, GEODE continuous digital cartography, and specialized databases (water points, mineral resources, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrocarbons, ground movements). It also offers physical publications, analytical laboratory services, and operates the Geominero Museum for public education.

Product overview

Igme Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME) is Spain's national geological and mining research institute, offering a comprehensive platform of geo-scientific information products and services. The core offering is the InfoIGME portal, which provides access to geological and thematic cartography, databases, and documentation through multiple interconnected systems including the data catalog (2,200+ datasets), advanced search system (ISE), and cartographic viewer. Key products include the MAGNA geological map series (1:50,000 scale, now in its 3rd edition), GEODE continuous digital geological cartography, and specialized databases for mineral resources, water points, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrocarbons, ground movements, and seismogenic zones. The platform also includes the Geological Documentation Information System (SID), Atlas Geoquímico de España with isoconcentration maps for 52 chemical elements, the Geominero Museum, analytical laboratories, and field data collection tools like INGEOTAB. Map services support WMS, Google Earth, and ArcGIS clients for integration with external systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• InfoIGME Geo-scientific information portal providing access to geological and thematic cartography, databases, and documentation through data catalogs, specific consultation applications, a generic cartographic viewer, and available map services.
• MAGNA - Mapa Geológico de España 1:50.000 (3ª Serie) National geological map series at 1:50,000 scale (3rd edition) covering all of Spain through 1,143 map sheets with ongoing updates including geomorphological mapping and active processes for territorial planning.
• GEODE - Cartografía geológica digital continua Continuous digital geological cartography at 1:50,000 scale resulting from harmonization of the MAGNA series across 19 regional projects with unified regional legends.
• Base de datos de Puntos de Agua del IGME (BDAguas) Web application for querying, visualization, and download of master and variable information on water extraction points, including pumping tests, lithologies, technical data, and associated documents.
• Base de Datos de Recursos Minerales (BDMIN) Database integrating geological-mining information on mineral indications and exploitations of rocks and minerals in Spain.
• Sistema de Información Geofísica (SIGEOF) Application providing visualization and access to geophysical data including electrical, electromagnetic, magnetic resonance, gravimetry, petrophysics, magnetometry, and seismic methodologies.
• QAFI - Base de Datos de Fallas del Cuaternario Database of faults with geological evidence of demonstrated activity during the Quaternary period (last 2.6 million years).
• Laboratorios del IGME Analytical and mineralurgical laboratories with advanced equipment for chemical analysis of waters, petrographic analysis, geotechnical tests, and official characterization of natural mineral waters.
• Museo Geominero Museum dedicated to conserving, researching, and disseminating geological, paleontological, and mineralogical heritage through collections of minerals, rocks, and fossils.
• Visor cartográfico del IGME Geo-scientific information browser enabling visualization and querying of IGME spatial datasets and other organizations' data through WMS or ArcGIS Server services.
• INGEOTAB Mobile application for intuitive and personalized field data collection, combining multiple tools including maps, GPS, compass, clinometer, photographs, and drawings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,200+ geological and mining datasets available for public reuse
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and major.

• INTERREG POCTEP GEO_FPI Project PartnersregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Cross-border observatory for geo-economic valorization of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, co-financed by FEDER funds. Partners include IGME, Junta de Andalucía (DGIEM), LNEG Portugal, and Câmara Municipal de Aljustrel.
• EuroGeoSurveys (EGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuroGeoSurveys is a not-for-profit organization representing 37 National Geological Surveys and regional surveys across Europe, with an overall workforce of several thousand experts. IGME participates as the Spanish national geological survey, contributing to Pan-European geological data infrastructure and collaborative research initiatives.
• European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI)coreTechnology or IntegrationEGDI provides access to Pan-European and national geological datasets and services from the Geological Survey Organizations of Europe. IGME contributes Spanish national geological data to this infrastructure.
• Asociación de Servicios de Geología y Minería Iberoamericanos (ASGMI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASGMI is a non-profit organization representing geological and mining services of Iberoamerican countries, fostering regional collaboration in geological research and mining sector development.
• UNESCO Spanish Committee of World GeoparksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGME serves as the technical secretariat for the Spanish National Committee of UNESCO Global Geoparks, providing scientific validation and coordination for geopark designations in Spain.
• Sociedad de Investigación y Explotación Minera de Castilla y León (SIEMCALSA)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement signed in July 2009 for the realization of the Industrial Rocks and Minerals Map of Castilla y León at 1:400,000 scale.
• Topo-Iberia ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTopo-Iberia project establishes a scientific-technological framework for integrated multidisciplinary geocientific studies on the micro-continent formed by the Iberian Peninsula and its margins.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM): France's national geological survey, the closest direct peer to IGME. BRGM operates a comparable mix of national geological mapping, mineral resources databases, hydrogeological data, and laboratory services, and similarly functions as a public-sector research institution with a mix of state funding and fee-based commercial services.
• Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU): Sweden's national geological survey, a smaller-economy peer with a directly comparable mandate in geological mapping, mineral resources, and groundwater data. SGU is a useful peer for benchmarking how a national geological survey monetizes data and laboratory services in a smaller market.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS): The U.S. national geological survey and the global benchmark for government geological science agencies. USGS operates the same combination of national geological mapping, mineral resources assessment, hydrogeology, geochemistry, and hazards data that defines IGME's portfolio, scaled to a far larger national territory.
• Geological Survey of Finland (GTK): Finland's national geological survey, a direct peer with a similar product mix of national geological mapping, mineral resources databases, and laboratory services. GTK has a more developed commercial orientation, making it a useful comparison point for IGME's monetization potential.
• GEUS – Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland: Denmark and Greenland's national geological survey, a closely comparable public-sector peer operating geological mapping, mineral resources, and energy data services. GEUS is a useful reference for a small European geological survey's operating model.
• British Geological Survey (BGS): The UK's national geological survey, a like-for-like public-sector peer to IGME. BGS operates the same model of national-scale geological mapping, open data portals, mineral resources databases, and fee-based laboratory and consulting services, and is the most directly comparable English-language reference for IGME's structure and product mix.
• Geological Survey of Canada (NRCan-GSC): Canada's national geological survey, a major peer with the world's largest national geological mapping program and a strong mineral resources focus. NRCan-GSC is a useful comparator for IGME given Canada's leadership in public-sector geoscience for mining.
• Geosphere Austria: Austrian national geological survey with a comparable mandate in geological mapping, mineral resources, and natural hazards data. Geosphere is a relevant regional peer given the geographic and institutional proximity to IGME within the EuroGeoSurveys network.

Regional players

• Instituto Geológico, Minero y Metalúrgico del Perú (INGEMMET): Peru's national geological survey, an Ibero-American peer to IGME connected through the ASGMI partnership network. INGEMMET operates a comparable mix of geological mapping, mineral resources, and geohazard databases for a mining-led economy, providing a relevant Latin American benchmark.
• Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC): Colombia's national geological survey, another Ibero-American peer linked to IGME through ASGMI. SGC operates a comparable national geological, geohazard, and mineral resources mandate and serves as a regional reference for how smaller Ibero-American surveys are structured.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IGME1849
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/igmeWEB
• Facebookfacebook.com/Instituto-Geol%C3%B3gico-y-Minero-de-Espa%C3%B1a-224837040875505
• Instagraminstagram.com/igme1849
• Pinterestpinterest.es/IGME1849
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/igme-instituto-geol%C3%B3gico-y-minero-de-espa%C3%B1a

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Igme Instituto Geológico y Minero de España