MAP - Micro Analytical Prospecting
By micro-analytical studies of selected ores, we generate a new tool (method) that allows exploration for ores in Västerbotten and Norrbotten efficiency, which in turn increases the chances of further ore discoveries in the region. The project begins with a study of gold ores and mineral transformation in and around known gold deposits with diverse geology in the West and Norrbotten.
The study will generate information and knowledge about the distribution and variation of gold's chemical composition, and the chemical composition of the ore and mineral transformation, in Europe very important ore districts Skellefte, Gold Line and Northern Norrbotten. The project's main objective is to use this knowledge in the development of a new and more effective exploration tool for the region. Data will result in the existing ore examined in the project will have a different chemical "signatures" depending on the type of ore it is. The future exploration of unknown terrain can rock samples 'matched' against these signatures and exploration companies will therefore have a quick indication of whether the area is of interest for further exploration or not. Gold deposits in Västerbotten and Norrbotten (6) will be selected in consultation with participating exploration companies (Boliden Mineral AB, Lappland Goldminers and Dragon Mining).
Through the micro-analytical studies, the project will also generate a deeper understanding of how precious and alloy metals occur in different ore types. These metals are always very small component of the total ore volume. The contents of the interesting future metals (eg, molybdenum, tellurium, platinum) in the ores will be documented by means of micro-analytical instrumentation such as microprobe, MLA and laser ablation. With an increased demand for metals in the world, it is of great importance to know the ore's total metal content, including smaller components that can be of great economic importance. This improves the ability to early specify a correct value of an indicated ore body, and opening the possibility of extraction of these smaller, but future important constituents of an ore. Depending on whether gold occurs as free gold or "invisible gold" (so-called lattice-bound), and together with ore mineral or rock-forming minerals, so will the value of the ore body to vary when only certain way presence is economically exploitable. To take advantage of multi-elements (metals) from the ores, which due to lack of knowledge of the detailed content of the ores usually is not done in the current situation, gives a much more sustainable resource of each ore.
A regional project where a number of ores from both Västerbotten and Norrbotten examined micro analytical capabilities never before implemented. The two project leaders have expertise in their respective ore district and in the subject area of ore geology, and by linking these skills in a regional county border projects would the ore geological knowledge of Västerbotten and Norrbotten considerably deepened.
Sponsored by: EU Structural Funds Objective 2, Region Västerbotten, Boliden Mineral, Dragon Mining, Lappland Goldminers
Contact
Glenn Bark
- Senior Lecturer
- 0920-491039
- glenn.bark@ltu.se
- Glenn Bark
Christina Wanhainen
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-492401
- christina.wanhainen@ltu.se
- Christina Wanhainen
Updated: