New study improves knowledge of vanadium in Gävleborg for future exploration

In a new report, the Geological Survey of Sweden presents the results of a project aimed at producing information about mafic vanadium bearing intrusions, mainly gabbros, within the so-called Ljusdal lithotectonic unit in Gävleborg County. Vanadium and titanium are both critical raw materials according to the EU's latest assessment.

– Based on both new and existing data, a detailed characterisation of more than 20 mafic intrusions has been carried out. As well as providing new information about Fe-Ti-V mineralisation, the results also provide valuable insight into the understanding of the distribution and development of the bedrock in the study area, says Ann Allen, Head of the Economic Geology Unit at SGU.

The study shows that several of the investigated intrusions contain interesting grades of vanadium. However, no economic or technical evaluations of the potential for future extraction were carried out as part of the project. Notable applications of vanadium include its use in steel alloys and superalloys, as a catalyst in the chemical industry, and as a component of redox batteries.

SGU assesses that there is good potential to discover additional Fe-Ti-V-bearing intrusions at depth within the Ljusdal lithotectonic unit. Gravity and magnetic data can be valuable tools for identifying potential intrusions at depth.

In this study, several additional potential intrusions were identified using these methods. As part of the project, SGU collected and analysed a large amount of new data, including petrophysical and geochemical samples, ground magnetic and gravity measurements, radiometric dating, and a wide range of geological observations from drill cores and outcrops. The study also included a detailed review of existing information and the digitisation of analogue data.

Read the report "Mafic intrusion-hosted Fe-Ti-V mineralisations in the Ljusdal lithotectonic unit, Sweden"