Archonsod's idea should be implemented alongside mine. I am thinking his would be more functional as alchemy, when mine is more like prospecting (and fighting baddies to win it). That way Civics doesn't OP the other trees.

Even on epic it doesnt take that long for these 2 techs and you can just produce the pioneers ahead. Unless you play tiny map there will still be plenty of space. And when there is none thats what raise land is for

It would probably be a spell only casteable by a Sov. That way it can't get spammed. I also think it could be a spell that has limited uses before it threatens your kingdom to use it again. This could be done by threat of invasion by a spawned force or even by locking the spell as another would tear reality at the seams.

I like the idea of these techs.. I do think  that for the most part they should only add locations to  territory that is in our area of influence part. This represents the fact that as a "settled area" we have time, opportunity, and safety to explore it in more detail.

However I have a few ideas that might add to there "fun Factor" for some the current ones and possible additional once..

1) have some that instead of resource locations spawn a quest start location.. for example say at this we get a rumor from a traveler that he saw some shinny rocks in an old land slide.. so a quest location appears for the old mans cabin.. then when we get there he has a task for us to perform  or tells the tale of the location but when we get there we have to solve a puzzle or slay a guardian.. any way you get the idea ...

2) have a tech that creates a "surveyor pack" the champion wearing this has a small % chance to discover an new location  at any time.. (it could be resource, gildar rich ruin, shard, ancient tech location, or lost wizards tower)

3) information of rare resource/treasure/tech/spell in another sovereigns  territory..

just some good old fashion brainstorming to help add depth and breadth to these kinds of techs..

Carry on!