News - Luleå University of Technology

Successful exploration work at Boliden

Students from the Master Programme in Natural Resources Engineering, Viktor Grundström Mattsson and Gustav Lood Stark, are currently working on an exciting exploration project for the mining company Boliden. The project has led to the discovery of a new sulphide deposit containing gold, silver, zinc...

In the media: Tons of cobalt in the ground - but no Swedish mining

No mines have opened in Sweden during the 2000s. According to the newspaper, this is often due to a conflict between different environmental interests. According to Christina Wanhainen, professor of ore geology at Luleå University of Technology, people think "not here".

"I gladly talk about geoscience in general, gold in the earth's crust and the climate"

I am from Gothenburg where I did my undergraduate studies in bedrock geology. After that I moved to Luleå in 2002 to do my doctorate and have since stayed on as a researcher and teacher.

Open workshop presenting Mining-related doctoral research in Sweden

The Swedish Mining Innovation PhD Student Network includes PhD students from a range of Swedish universities who all are working on mining- and exploration-related research questions, ranging all the way from technical and natural scientific subjects to social and economic sciences.

In the media: 24 million to strengthen environmental and climate challenges in the mining industry

The strategic national innovation program Swedish Mining Innovation annually announces research funding to fund projects that strengthen the competitiveness of the Swedish mining and metal-producing industry.

In the media: Northern Sweden hub for conversion of Swedish basic industry

A new investment at Luleå University of Technology, made in close collaboration with Swedish industry, will develop natural resource-based basic industry towards the UN's sustainability goals - while maintaining and increasing profitability.

In the media: That is why Norrbotten and Västerbotten are the best in the world at climate change

In Norrbotten and Västerbotten, there are several billion projects that are about making Sweden's basic industries such as forests and ore sustainable from a climate point of view. The LTU researchers believe that northern Sweden is a large demo facility that shows the way for the rest of the world.

In the media: LKAB's successful exploration guarantees production until at least 2060

LKAB's exploration initiative is applauded by Pär Weihed, professor of ore geology at Luleå University of Technology. Weihed has previously been critical of the fact that LKAB for decades neglected to search for deposits.

In the media: Innovation in the visualisation of 3D/4D geological models

Visual3D has enabled us to together come up with ideas for solutions, tools and products which will prove to be game-changers in how we visualise geology in geoscientific exploration, research and education, says Dr Tobias C. Kampmann, Associate Senior Lecturer, Luleå University of Technology

In the media: Boliden and Luleå University of Technology collaborate

Boliden and Luleå University of Technology announce in a communiqué that they have entered into a long-term strategic cooperation agreement. The agreement entails a collaboration in competence supply, competence development, research and innovation in the area of automation and resource utilization.

Carbon dioxide capture for storage in the bedrock

Luleå University of Technology has been granted ten million by the Swedish Energy Agency to, in collaboration with the packaging company BillerudKorsnäs, develop a technique that captures carbon dioxide from the industry for future storage in the Swedish bedrock.

In the media: Mixed reality soon the reality of geologists

In the future, geologists may see an ore body as a hologram in real life. The German startup company Terranigma Solutions enlists the help of LTU Business and Luleå University of Technology in the development of a mixed reality product for geologists and the mining industry.

Luleå University of Technology and Boliden sign collaboration agreements

Luleå University of Technology and Boliden are today entering in to a long-term strategic collaboration agreement. The new agreement means that collaboration will be enhanced in terms of competence provision and competence development, as well as research and innovation – towards leading positions ...

Filip Simán combines AI and ore geology

Filip Simán, a student at Luleå University of Technology, combines ore geology with AI. – I believe that AI will fundamentally change the way people work within all disciplines, says Filip Simán.

Swedish Geological Society 150 years

17 Aug. 2021 10:00 – 19 Aug. 2021 15:00 :

In 2021 it is 150 years since the Geological Society of Sweden was founded. We will commemorate this by organizing an anniversary meeting to be held in Uppsala 17–19 August 2021.

New mineral discovered

A scientist at Luleå University of Technology is one of the persons behind the discovery of a brand new mineral, which has now been named zinkgruvanit.
– It's a bit of a childhood dream for a geologist. It is also a good reminder that there is still a lot of new things to discover in nature, says ...

Common Earth modelling of the Kiruna mining district

Researchers at Luleå University of Technology will, together with LKAB, do a comprehensive survey of the ore body in the Kiruna area.
– We compile all available data in a single model to find out what the bedrock looks like in depth, says Tobias Bauer, associate professor of ore geology at Luleå U...

Nominate a mining innovation for the Swedish Mining Innovation Award

Now is the time to nominate for the Swedish Mining Innovation Award! The award, which was instituted last year, is awarded by the national strategic innovation program Swedish Mining Innovation.

In the media: The need for metals is increasing but new mines are raising resistance

The ore geologist Christina Wanhainen has been researching transition metals for almost two decades. In recent years, she has noticed an increased interest in her research area, but she is still surprised that the issue of metal supply has not paid more attention.

Popular network for doctoral students in mining research

MINERS, a network for PhD students in research related to mining, metal production and exploration in Sweden currently has 35 members. The initiative for the interdisciplinary network came two years ago from the strategic innovation program SIP STRIM, with Luleå University of Technology as coordinat...

SGU's scholarships for geosciences 2020

Two out of five recipients of SGU's scholarships are from the Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.

The MineFacts information material is now available as a web page

Minefacts is a collection of facts about mining, exploration, permitting process and sustainability from the EU body EIT RawMaterials, which is intended to be used by anyone who is in any way involved in mining.

Exploration for metals at the MAX IV synchrotron

This week, for the first time ever, ore minerals were analyzed at the NanoMAX beam line at the MAX IV synchrotron laboratory, which is the brightest x-ray source in the world.

Jan Kempe fellow of the year 2019

Filip Ivarsson, a student in the Master Programme in Exploration and Environmental Geosciences, has received Svemin's Jan Kempe award in the fields of Ore Geology and Exploration in 2019.

Industry evening - Master Programme in Natural Resources Engineering 2019

The Master Programme in Natural Resources Engineering´s industry evening was held, where some 40 students participated together with ten companies.

Royal visit to the university

Green metals, digital winter road maintenance, a VR mine experience, a demonstration of autonomous drones and of the Swedish Mars instrument HABIT. King Carl XVI Gustaf gained insight into research in a variety of fields when he visited Luleå University of Technology.

Best article award - Nils F. Jansson

The paper "Structural evolution of the Palaeoproterozoic sala stratabound Zn-Pb-Ag carbonate-replacement deposit, Bergslagen, Sweden" has received the "Best article award" in the journal GFF.

Motivation: A thorough description, analysis and interpretation of the structures and their evolution, as...

Professor Christina Wanhainen - unique in Sweden

Christina Wanhainen, professor in ore geology was recently appointed Head of subject, which makes her unique in that position in Sweden. In her research, she focuses, among other things, on finding valuable trace metals by characterizing minerals in ores and ore waste, such as mine dumps and tailing...

Swedish Mining Innovation Award

SIP STRIM Swedish Mining Innovation Award recognizes an innovation, project, organization, individual or other that is extremely important for innovation in Swedish mining.

In the media: Shared opinions on mining companies' social engagement in Jokkmokk

Per Weihed, professor of ore geology at Luleå University of Technology, believes it is important for mining companies to get involved in the resort, such as hiring local entrepreneurs and doing other business deals, but also supporting the associations and the local business community.

Mines and green conversion – issues that engage

Is it possible to meet society's need for metals and minerals and at the same time have a sustainable mining production? The issue engaged the audience at Luleå University of Technology's seminar in Almedalen in Visby.

A unique short course in Applied Field Exploration

A unique short course in Applied Field Exploration was organized by LTU on 10-14 June, within the EXplORE MSc exchange program in exploration.

EXplORE Student testimony

Mpho Ndebele is one of two MSc students at LTU who participated in a short course at TU Bergakademie Freiberg using a mobility grant from EXplORE.

The Bergforsk and STRIM days 2019

This was the 15th edition of this mining conference that is arranged for academia, business, financiers and politicians. This year there was a great focus on sustainability and how the mining and metal industry will cope with that transition. The conference also offered panel discussions and awards ...

Visual3D conference, October 2019, Uppsala

This conference will be especially interesting for those of you in mining- and exploration-related research who work with 3D models and/or virtual/augmented reality visualization.

Software donation to Luleå University of Technology

Researchers in the field of ore geology have received 10 licenses donated by Petroleum Experts Ltd - Petex.

Possible to extract more from existing mines

To extract metals and industrial carbonates from the same mine would reduce the amount of waste while at the same time increasing the economic benefit. In a project, researchers at Luleå University of Technology are investigating the geological conditions for broadening the production in existing mi...

CAMM2 Report 2019

Basic research for a sustainable mining industry

In the media: Skåne can become a green Silicon Valley

"We in Sweden and the EU are good at consuming metals. We produce 3-4 percent and consume over 20 percent of the annual global metal production."

Debate: The hunt for the "green" metals

Metals for solar cells and electric car batteries should help us cope with the climate crisis. But local residents and environmental interests protest against mining in Sweden. Will the conflict be resolved?

Great interest for collaboration

Luleå University of Technology increases its participation in the world's largest raw material consortium, EIT RawMaterials.
– We are an attractive collaboration partner, says Pär Weihed, pro vice-chancellor and professor in ore geology at Luleå University of Technology.

Bolivian delegation at Luleå University of Technology 2018

The dept. of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering hosted a delegation from Bolivia on Wednesday 28 November. The delegation included representatives from mining companies and the visit was organized in collaboration with the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR).

Mining role in the transition to a sustainable society

Access to metals and mineral is a prerequisite for a global green transformation with more digitalized and climate smart societies. Christina Wanhainen and Jenny Greberg, researchers at Luleå University of Technology, lectured on 29 November on sustainable mining.

In the media: Seminar on sustainable mining in Skellefteå

On November 29, Luleå University of Technology organizes a seminar at The Great Northern in Skellefteå on sustainable mining with scientists Christina Wanhainen and Jenny Greberg.

Debate: LKAB's investments must increase dramatically

It is remarkable that the company did not reinvest its record gains in expanding its ore reserves through acquisitions or joint ventures internationally, writes Pär Weihed, Professor of Oreology at LTU.

Design of selective collectors for the separation of valuable mineral from mining waste

Formas is funding a new project for the project "Design of selective collectors for the separation of valuable mineral from mining waste". Anna-Carin Larsson and Anuttam Patra at Chemistry of Interfaces at Luleå University of Technology, was awarded three million SEK.

In the media: The protests against mines in Österlen are exaggerated

A possible mine at Österlen has caused debate and protests. Some experts believe that the protests are excessive. "Many of those who protest has not thought this over," says Pär Weihed, Professor in ore geology at Luleå University of Technology.

In the media: Core samples can become gold mine in Lapland

Today, many want to take on lithium, cobalt, or rare earths that are part of almost all modern technologies - batteries, cars, mobiles, wind turbines. The extraction of the rare earths is completely dominated by China.

A delegation from the China University of Geosciences in Beijing visited LTU/CAMM

A delegation from the China University of Geosciences in Beijing (CUGB) visited LTU on Tuesday 2 October 2018 and discussed possible collaboration in research and education with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pär Weihed, the head of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering (...

Unique drone maps Sweden's geology

Environmental monitoring, detecting fractures in open-pit mines, and gathering crucial information about how ore deposits form. Luleå University of Technology's new custom-made drone is equipped with camera and magnetometer and can be used for a wide range of purposes.

Lecture on women in mining

Within Sweden's mining industry, 16% of women work with the labor force and 29% of women are in the field of civil servants. Today there are 16 metal-produced mines in the country.

In the media: World Heritage Falun in focus for new events

Tobias Kampmann, researcher in oreology, lectures: Deep down in Falu Mine: How to look for valuable minerals. About exploration for ore deposits such as Falu Mine.

In the news: The Search for Battery Riches Starts Here

Bloomberg News: “Sweden won’t reach the levels that Congo has, but it can definitely play a part in the European market,” said Par Weihed, a professor in ore geology and pro vice chancellor at the Lulea University of Technology in northern Sweden.

Exploiting Minerals in Mining more Efficiently with Artificial Intelligence

Fürth, Luleå, Berlin, Santiago de Chile: Numerous ore deposits have diminishing concentrations of mineable ore. In order to access the remaining ore, the mining industry uses elaborate procedures that consume large amounts of energy and water.

Our researchers in Almedalen

Several of Luleå University of Technology's researchers and representatives participate in high-level seminars, talks and debates during Almedalsveckan in Visby in July – you can see a summary of the arrangements below (in Swedish). The University does not have any own events in Almedalen 2018.

Successful course in fusing geochemistry and structural geology

One of the major challenges in modern exploration is integrating large datasets of structural and lithogeochemical data. Far too often, such datasets are treated separately, leading to that their full potential for finding new mineral deposits is left untapped.

Peter Eriksson visited the Virtual Reality Lab

The Minister for Housing and Digital Development Peter Eriksso visited Luleå University of Technology's Virtual Reality Lab during Friday for a demonstration of how drones can be used in geoscience research and education.

Pär Weihed, new Pro Vice Chancellor

Pär Weihed, Professor of Ore Geology, has been appointed Pro Vice Chancellor at Luleå University of Technology, to lead Luleå University of Technology in collaboration with Vice Chancellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn. The decision was taken at the University Board meeting on April 6th.

Bergforsk Days 2018

16 May. 2018 09:30 – 17 May. 2018 17:10 , Clarion Hotel:

The Bergforsk days will be arranged in Luleå on 16–17 May, 2018.

Fusing geochemistry and structural geology for exploration, mining and research

24 May. 2018 08:30 – 25 May. 2018 12:00 , C305 (Wednesday), F441a (Thursday):

Second Circular: Workshops for Economic geologists presented by Nick Oliver, professor in Economic Geology and consultant at HCOV Global.

In the media: Shared sentences about uranium banning

Both Chalmers University of Technology and Luleå University of Technology fear that the proposal may complicate a future breakdown of rare earths - concerns shared by Aura Energy A, which conduct exploration activities in Häggån, Jämtland,

In the media: LTU is still hoping for a test mine

Luleå University of Technology is working on the fact that the mine in Kaunisvaara will also contain a so-called test bed. A research activity to test from train brakes to explosive technologies and environmental measures.

In the media: Mining in Pajala is resumed this summer

Åsa Allan is a geologist in primary and doctorate 2007 in ore geology at Luleå University of Technology. In 2012 she was recruited to the Pajala mine where, after building the geology part, she became mining manager before the mine recruited. After that she has worked for two years as a commander in...

In media: Skellefteå companies visit Luleå

Boliden, Fastec, Outotec, Autoliv, Kuusakoski and Tieto belong to the world-class in their respective industries and now yhey visit uleå University of Technology,

CAMM2 - Call for High risk projects 2018

CAMM2 will have an annual call for what we define as high-risk projects to boost ideas that go beyond what is described in the research plans for each work package. It is important that the proposal is contributing to the overall aim of CAMM2 and therefore we anticipate applications that qualify wit...

In the media: Geology on the school schedule during visits to the art gallery

The exhibition was produced by House of Technology at Luleå University of Technology and is of course worth a visit and it is also provided with educational activities that might be more adapted to children and young people's learning.

Vattenfall's award for best doctoral dissertation

Tobias Kampmann, Ore Geology, won the 2017 award for best doctoral dissertation at Luleå University of Technology. The thesis "Age, origin and tectonothermal modification of the Falun pyritic Zn-Pb-Cu- (Au-Ag) sulphide deposit, Bergslagen, Sweden" determines the age and origin of the ore in the Falu...

New website for SIP STRIM launched

Strategic innovation programme for the Swedish mining and metal producing industry

Nils F. Jansson is awarded the Jan Bergström´s Award to young researchers

The Geological Society in Sweden annually distributes the Jan Bergström award to young geo researchers who made significant efforts in the field of geoscience, already in their scientific career. This year, the prize goes to Nils F. Jansson at the Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineerin...

One step closer to test bed for mining technology in Pajala

There will be an in-depth preliminary study for the establishment of an Arctic Test facility at the Kaunisvaara mine in Pajala municipality.

In the media: Funding for test bed mining technology in Pajala

Vinnova has decided to fund an in-depth preliminary study for the establishment of the Arctic Test facility at Kaunisvaara mine in Pajala municipality.

In the media: Laver, Älvsbyn

The Laver mine 1936 -1947

From to Botswana's diamond mines to the cold north

Mpho Ndebele was awarded a scholarship by the Swedish institute to pursue his master’s program in Sweden. This initiative gives students from across the world a golden opportunity to further their studies and develop into future global researchers who can come up with innovations and also solve prob...

In the media: Fights for a test facility in Pajala

The geology professor Pär Weihed is one of the initiators of a mining research facility in Pajala. The project received the prime minister's blessing just before the holidays. Now the future is on an environmental state. At the same time, the professor moves to Uppsala to become Head of The Departme...

In the media: Ministers visit Kaunisvaara

The visit also includes Professor Erik Höglund from Luleå University of Technology and Northland Bankruptcy Manager Hans Andersson.

In the media: Peru promotes first international center for mining research in the country

In the media: Government prepared support test mine in Pajala

The Government is prepared to support the design of a test activity in the abandoned mine in Kaunisvaara. This is what Minister Mikael Damberg says to SVT Norrbotten.

In the media: Test bed in arctic environment

At a press conference in Pajala on Tuesday evening, Pär Weihed, Luleå University of Technology, Per-Erik Lindvall, consultant, and Erik Mella, Business Partner in Pajala, presented a preliminary study to create "Arctic Test AB" - a test bed in the arctic environment focusing on minerals, sustainable...

Bergforsk Days 2017

Smart green mines - Theme of the year. See the the broadcast with lectures, panel discussions and the latest in research.

Debate: Falu mine 1.9 billion years of geological processes can secure society's future needs

A research project at Luleå University of Technology has shown that the ore in The Falu Mine was formed about 1.9 billion years ago by enrichment of metals in the seabed during an ancient ocean. Hopefully, results such as these may raise public interest for geological processes and time scales, rese...

Automated Mineralogy - Celebrating 40 years of development

22 May. 2017 10:00 – 13:00 , F-341:

You are invited to attend a seminar in automated mineralogy being hosted jointly by Ore geology and Mineral Processing department.

1.9 billion year-old ores

In the Falun mine, copper, zinc, lead and smaller amounts of gold and silver have been mined for at least 800 years until 1992. Since 2001, the mine has been a world heritage site. Now, ore researcher Tobias Kampmann has determined the geological age of the ore body to ca. 1.9 billion years in a dis...

EIT RawMaterials BusinessIdea Competition 2017

The Business Idea Competition of EIT RawMaterials seeks innovative ideas from individuals, research teams, entrepreneurs and early stage startups for new products, processes and services in 3 categories:

Great participation in March for Science

On Saturday researchers and the public stood up for the importance of science and research-based knowledge. The global event March for Science drew over a hundred people to Gula paviljongen in the center of Luleå.

In the media: Australian mining company gets permission for exploratory drilling for lithium in Axmar

The mining of lithium has often been associated with major environmental problems but Pär Weihed, professor in ore geology at LTU, says the DG that lithium itself is a "nice" topic, and that the type of mining as that in Sweden you can not compare with the example in South America.

Advanced laser lab demonstrated

Laser Ablation ICP-MS, or Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, is a state of the art technology that is used in geoscientific research to determine the trace element composition of minerals within rocks. Due to its high sensitivity, it is particularly valuable to, for example...

Bergforsk Days 2017: Smart Green Mines

31 May. 2017 09:30 – 1 Jun. 2017 13:50 , Clarion Hotel Sense - Conference room "the Sea":

This year's theme is "Smart green mines". Topics like future challenges, sustainability, how to put people in focus and how to successfully bridge the opposing interests.

Inauguration of the VR Studio

Today the inauguration of the Virtual Reality Lab at Luleå University of Technology took place with a demonstration for press and industry. The VR studio will be a powerful tool for visualizations and presentations and will be used by both researchers and students.

Geology Day at the university 2017

This year’s Geology Day at Luleå University of Technology was attended by nearly a hundred high school students who were taking part in lectures on ores, minerals, environment and recycling of metals. It was much appreciated as geoscience is missing as a subject in primary schools.

In the media: Research Mine in Kaunisvaara

Now representatives of the plans for a research mine in Pajala meet government.

ERA-MIN 2: Call open now

In the media: Memorandum of understanding between the Swedish and Canadian mining and exploration industry

At Future Mining and Mineral industry, FGM (Future Mine and Minerals- FMM), an international mining and exploration conference since 2011 been organized in Stockholm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, PDAC, to strengthen cooperatio...

VR-Studio installation

VR - Virtual reality - is a computer technology that simulates the environment and the user's physical presence with a high degree of interaction. The VR-Studio is now installed at the university will primarily be used by researchers and students in construction, architecture, ore geology and rock e...

In the media: "Just a matter of time before it becomes a mine again"

A strong dollar and an iron ore price that has doubled in a year - Completely new conditions prevailing in the mining industry. Pär Weihed, professor of ore geology at Luleå University of Kaunisvaara in local newspaper NSD.

An eye for Geology

House of Technology in Luleå has on behalf of SGU - The Geological Survey of Sweden - developed a traveling exhibition on geology named Eye of Geology. It is an exhibition of metals and minerals, and why they are so important in our everyday lives, in Sweden and in the world.

In the media: Six companies get half a million SEK

Six companies in northern Sweden's Arctic Incubator Business Incubator, ABI, get half a million SEK funding from EIT Rawmaterials North AB.

In the media: Bergsstaten says no to mine in the Laver

Comments from Pär Weihed, professor of ore geology at Luleå University of Technology.

Call for CAMM2 high-risk projects

In the media: Mining operations in Sweden are threatened

Pär Weihed, professor at Luleå University of ore geology, believe the Bergsstaten's decision on the mine in the Laver may scare off mining companies.

In the media: Positive results from the enrichment tests at Luleå University of Technology

Botnia Exploration AB has given Luleå University of Technology the assignment to further develop the enrichment process for the gold deposit at Fäbodtjärn.

Published:30 October 2013

Updated: 25 March 2021

By:Richard Renberg

Edit page