Small scale environmental monitoring of ore exploration drillings has been done for some time. But, there is only sparse, holistic, site-scale investigated knowledge about the environmental and biodiversity impacts of ore exploration. The need for understanding the environmental impacts grows larger, that the ore exploration could be made as environmentally friendly as possible. Ore exploration permits are subject to complaints in many cases and the environmental effect are compared to the effects of mining operations, even though the volume of the ore exploration is significantly smaller. Knowledge on environmental impacts and overall transparency has become an important theme amongst the ore exploration companies, who are co-funding the METYV project. In addition, the environmental regulators have noticed the importance of the subject. The aim of this Geological Survey of Finland and Finnish Environmental Institute collaboration project is to produce researched knowledge on ore exploration, namely drilling, effects to surface water, groundwater, soil, and animals. Drilling water, sometimes containing drilling chemicals, are released to nearby ditches and wetlands, and transported to the bedrock groundwater. Also, drilling sludge is produced, which is left in the environment in some cases. In METYV-project, the effect of these environmental releases to water quality and biodiversity is studied using novel methods and compared to more traditional methods. The research will be done on three ore exploration areas located in Lapland. Work package 1 concentrates on leading the project, communications, and data management. Good leadership is in the heart of every successfully completed project. Communication will be done through seminars, publications, and social media. The project will produce vast amounts of data, thus the data management is essential. In addition, data will be published with story maps to general public. Work Package 2 concentrates on the impacts of ore exploration to surface water and groundwater. A multiscale research concept, which can be used to estimate the effects of ore exploration to surface water and groundwater, is produced. In the scoping stage of the ore exploration the areas are large and environmentally sensitive locations are studied using existing data. When ore exploration moves to smaller areas, light field methods, such as drones, are used and in resource drilling areas heavier field methods, such as geophysics are used. In addition, methodologies for estimation of the groundwater effects of drilling, before drilling are developed. Work package 3 concentrates on environmental effects of drilling chemicals and drilling sludge. A comprehensive database research on drilling chemicals will be done. In addition, what substances drilling chemicals include are researched and environmental risks are estimated using ecotoxicological investigations. In addition, the harm and the change in harm of drilling sludge, left on-site is investigated. Work package 4 concentrates on the impact of ore exploration to biodiversity. The effects on biodiversity and habitat types are studied in water and land ecosystems. The changes in the state of the water ecosystems are studied using environmental DNA (eDNA) method and compared to metabarcoding DNA method and traditional methods for estimating the state of water ecosystems. The decrease of the protection status of habitat types or decrease of ecological state is studied with different habitat types before and after the drilling. Also recovery of habitat types is estimated. With the research concept developed in the project, the risk locations in land and water ecosystems, as well as, surface water and groundwater before drilling, can guide the ore exploration for smallest possible environmental effect. Based on the research, recommendations for sustainable ore exploration are produced. The methodologies developed in the project are intended for routine use in ore exploration companies to reduce the environmental effect. The aim of the project is to introduce the good practices of ore exploration to official permitting and monitoring. In such cases, the data produced can be also used in the environmental impact assessment process of mines, when applying for environmental permits and as a baseline study.