Abstract: Against the backdrop of China’s transition from rapid economic growth to high-quality development, the geological exploration industry—as a foundational sector for resource development—plays a vital role in ensuring national resource security and promoting sustainable development. At present, the industry is confronted with challenges such as uneven technical capacity, weak innovation performance, low resource utilization efficiency, and insufficient environmental awareness. State-owned geological exploration enterprises （SO-GEEs）, as the mainstay of the industry, face urgent demands for transformation and upgrading. This study aims to clarify the connotation and characteristics of high-quality development in SO-GEEs, identify its driving factors, and construct a scientific evaluation framework. Based on a comprehensive literature review and the dual nature of SO-GEEs as both state-owned and geo-exploration entities, this paper defines high-quality development as a new development paradigm driven by innovation rather than factor input, and oriented towards the sustained creation of economic and social value. Six key dimensions are identified to characterize the high-quality development of SO-GEEs: development momentum, efficiency, strategic layout, resilience, governance mechanism, and social reputation. Furthermore, the paper systematically reviews existing evaluation systems for high-quality development in the geo-exploration industry, summarizing their main characteristics and limitations. Most current frameworks focus on macro-level indicators, with limited applicability to the geo-exploration sector, and some indicators lack operational feasibility. In response, this study proposes a multi-dimensional evaluation approach tailored to SO-GEEs, emphasizing data accessibility, representativeness, and sectoral relevance. Through case analysis, the applicability of the proposed evaluation framework is validated. Based on the findings, the paper puts forward policy suggestions including optimizing governance structures, increasing investment in technological innovation, and developing standardized green exploration practices. The results provide theoretical support and practical guidance for advancing the high-quality development of China’s geo-exploration industry and establishing a modernized national resource security system.