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Mineral Resources Inventory: a review of progress in French Guiana

On 23 April 2026, BRGM organised a review of progress on the compilation of the Mineral Resources Inventory (IRM) in French Guiana.

28 April 2026

Breakdown of the 5 geographical zones targeted by the mineral resources inventory.

Since 2024, BRGM has been updating the inventory of subsurface mineral resources in France. This task was entrusted by the government to the national geological survey. The aim is to address the challenges involved in the supply of critical raw materials.

The five areas targeted for this survey include the North Guiana Trough, a region with potential for finding important strategic resources.

On 23 April, as it had undertaken to do at the launch of the project, BRGM organised a progress review in Cayenne on the inventory of mineral resources in French Guiana.

Project rooted in French Guiana

Aimed at public sector bodies (central government departments, local authorities and public operators) and scientific, economic and industrial stakeholders in French Guiana, this presentation of the initial findings has demonstrated strong momentum, characteristic of a project rooted in the local community that involves all local stakeholders, with a range of expected benefits:

Increased geological knowledge of the area, which until now was rife with gaps.
Subsurface mineral resources have been identified and highlighted without prejudice to future decisions regarding the use of these resources, which will be a matter for local stakeholders and decision makers.
Support provided for public policy, education and research.
Development of the programme in collaboration with stakeholders in the local economy and help in establishing a responsible minerals sector.
A certification training programme established for prospectors without formal qualifications, in partnership with the University of French Guiana and with the support of industry, the National Forestry Office (ONF), the Water Agency and the Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (French Guiana Regional Authority).

The Mineral Resources Inventory draws on a diverse network of stakeholders in French Guiana: institutions, research bodies, small-scale mining companies, businesses and technical partners, who contribute actively to its implementation and ownership. It serves as a direct catalyst for local development and skills enhancement in the region, having already led to the recruitment of more than 60 people from French Guiana from a variety of backgrounds.

A film about the field surveys was screened in a preview showing. By highlighting the work of local prospecting teams, it provided an illustration of the practicalities of the operations carried out and helped to improve understanding of stream sediment sampling.

At the government’s request, BRGM is compiling a new national mineral resources inventory to improve knowledge of the subsurface in French territories and address the challenges involved in the supply of strategic raw materials. One of the five regions targeted for this survey is the North Guiana Trough. Watch the teaser for the film about the Voltaire mission led by teams from BRGM and its subsidiary BRGM Explore in the hard-to-reach area of the Voltaire Falls.

Watch the full-length version of the film

Initial scientific findings and a preview of the geological map

Following an opening address by Sub-Prefect Michael Didier and BRGM representatives, the initial progress on the programme was presented (methodology, work undertaken and initial scientific findings):

25% of the geochemical sampling programme has already been completed, with over 1100 stream sediment samples collected.
New geophysical surveys to improve knowledge of the subsurface, scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.
A standardised geological map of northern French Guiana at a scale of 1:500,000, which has been previewed and will be available to the public in a few months’ time.

The standardised 1:500,000 geological map of northern French Guiana, previewed on 23 April 2026 in Cayenne.

A statement from the Directorate-General for Energy and Climate has re-established the Mineral Resources Inventory within the national raw materials strategy, emphasising the need to reconcile national priorities with local reality.

A round-table discussion provided an opportunity to air the expectations of local stakeholders, in particular with the participation of the following:

Jeanne Da Silveira, Deputy Director for Spatial Planning and Ecological Transition at the Directorate-General for Territories and the Sea (DGTM French Guiana);
Arnaud Heuret, senior lecturer in geology at the University of French Guiana;
Philippe Bouba, Vice-President for Higher Education and Research at the Collectivité territoriale de Guyane;
Pierre-Michel Rosier, First Vice-President of the Federation of Mining Operators of French Guiana;
Mélissa Langlois, Director of Corporate Affairs and CSR at the Auplata Mining Group;
Floriane Deneuville-Mayer, Regional Director of BRGM French Guiana.

This progress review confirms the strategic importance of the Mineral Resources Inventory for French Guiana: a unifying project that promotes balanced development, combining the use of resources and strengthening the local economy and environmental protection.

One progress review is scheduled to take place each year until the programme is completed in 2029.