As part of increasing knowledge about Sweden's northernmost bedrock, new geological information is published in the form of a report from SGU's Barents Project.
New and widely available geoscience information from the region in question helps exploration and mining companies reduce their risks and exploration costs and thereby promote economic development.
Norrbotten's rich mineral resources were known in the 17th century and since then exploration has led to several findings. Exploration, but also other industries, require access to geoscience basic information. Against this background, SGU has been commissioned by the Government to collect modern geophysical, geological and geochemical information from the northernmost countries in Sweden, the so-called Barents project. Results from a part-project within the Barents project are now reported in a report from a major mapping effort in southern Norrbotten.
The southern part of Norrbottens län is a geologically unexplored and explored area. It lies between two of Sweden's major ore producing regions, namely the ore fields in northern Norrbotten County and the Skellefte field in Västerbotten County. The bedrock in the area consists mainly of Paleoproterozoic crystalline rocks (2.5-1.6 billion years old) belonging to the Fennoscandian shield, which is the main subject of this report. Less space has been devoted to the rocks of the younger sedimentary deposition and the base of the caledonic orogen in the westernmost part of the area.
The purpose of the sub-project in southern Norrbotten was to compile and harmonize existing geological information as well as to present updated databases and a consistent interpretation of the bedrock in the area. The focus of the survey was on revision and updating of:
the stratigraphy of the mountain mountains,
the subdivision of intrusive type of rock,
information and classification of mineral resources,
knowledge of the regional structure pattern,
knowledge of the metamorphic conditions and
the geophysical information.
The strategic goal of the project was to provide the prospecting and mining industry with updated and comprehensive geoscience information to improve Sweden's competitiveness in the mineral industry. In addition, enhanced geological knowledge contributes to efficient, environmentally friendly and long-term sustainable use of resources.
Source: SGU