Platinum-group elements in Swedish Ni-Fe-Cu sulfides
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Luleå University of Technology |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 469 000 |
| Project duration | April 2019 - September 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme for Swedish mining and metal producing industry - SIP Swedish Mining Innovation |
Purpose and goal
A goal of this pre-study was the collection of all available information dealing with platinum-group elements (PGE) exploration and research in Sweden, aiming to provide a useful database for future exploration activities. This was approached by using the open-source geographic information system QGIS. Due to the detection of three target units with confirmed Pd anomaly in the g/t range, the pre-study’s aim to better understand the PGE potential in Sweden was achieved.
Expected results and effects
Results of this pre-study include (i) a database relevant for exploration, (ii) detailed knowledge of the platinum-group elements (PGE) geochemistry in Swedish Ni-Cu-Fe sulphides, (iii) definition of geological target units for exploration, (iv) detection of the main PGE carriers and (v) new exploration strategies. The expected impacts of this pre-study are that (i) Sweden will have more PGE exploration and (ii) in case of economic discoveries the PGE dependency of Sweden will be reduced.
Planned approach and implementation
The proposed design of this pre-study was straight forward and could be implemented without major problems. Especially the analytical design has already been tested for years: the combination of whole-rock geochemistry with innovative hydroseparation for heavy minerals led to mind-opening discoveries (i.e. discrete platinum-group minerals). The cooperation with experts in the field at the University of Barcelona (UB) and sampling work at the geological survey (SGU) was very successful.