Photo: Ildikó Antal Lundin, SGU
Mapping in Bergslagen
In spring 2017, a new multidisciplinary mapping project was started with focus on the Bergslagen Ore Province. The aim of the project is to increase our understanding of the area’s bedrock and to identify its minerals and metals.
The project includes investigations of rock in outcrop, abandoned mines, waste rock and materials from previous mining operations, as well as, where available, drill cores and other materials. Geological, geophysical and geochemical observations and data are collected during the project. In addition, two governmental assignments were executed in tandem with the Bergslagen Project:
Innovation-critical metals and minerals
The demand for metals and minerals is increasing
Our demand for metals and minerals has never been greater than today. In recent years, the European Commission has brought special attention to so called “Critical Raw Materials” (CRMs), which for example are needed in green technology such as electric cars, windmills and solar panels. The demand is also increasing for other metals. Climate change and the transition to renewable energy sources constitutes a challenge for the supply of raw materials.
Multidisciplinary studies of available and newly collected data provides better understanding and knowledge of the geological processes behind formation of evolution of the bedrock in the Bergslagen area, which is needed to provide better fundamental information for exploration of metals, minerals and CRMs.
Active and completed subprojects
Several subprojects are executed as part of the Bergslagen Project. These focus on a specific local or regional area or study a specific mineralisation type or process.
Map over survey areas for Bergslagen part 1 (completed; new window)
Map over survey areas for Bergslagen part 2 (ongoing; new window)
Local surveys
Local survey activities are focused investigations that aim to update the geological, geophysical, and geochemical fundamental data within mineralised areas. Understanding is also gained for ore-forming and other processes that affects different types of mineralisations. In some of the subprojects, 3D-models are built to aid visualisation of the bedrock and mineralisations at depth.
Ongoing mapping is currently undertaken in the Grycksbo-Insjön area in Dalarna County, and in the Eskilstuna area in Södermanland County. Reports with preliminary results are available below.
Previous, now completed subprojects were focused on the Ludvika area, the Norberg area, the Fagersta-Avesta area, and the Sala-Jugansbo area. Reports with results are available below.
Geological mapping, Ludvika, Bergslagen part 1, SGU-rapport 2018:12 (new window; in Swedish)
Geological mapping, Ludvika, Bergslagen part 1, SGU-rapport 2019:16 (new window; in Swedish)
The Sala-Jugansbo area, Bergslagen part 1, SGU-rapport 2019:12 (new window; in Swedish)
Regional surveys
Regional surveys are undertaken in larger areas with the aim to study geological processes that are of importance for the geological evolution of the entire Bergslagen Ore Province. This includes studies of a certain mineralisation type that may occur in association with a certain rock type, or studies with a regional focus on a certain ore-forming process. Ongoing subprojects focus on mineralisations related to basic intrusions, as well as why the northern parts of the Bergslagen Lithotectonic Unit, in contrast to its southern parts, are devoid of known mineralisations. Soil sampling for geochemical analyses is also undertaken in areas where geochemical data are lacking, including natural background levels of major and trace elements, as well as soil pH status.
Geochemical mapping in western Bergslagen, SGU-rapport 2020:01 (new window; in Swedish)
Investigation of layered gabbroic intrusions, Bergslagen. SGU-rapport 2021:18 (new window)
Documentation of ores, mineralisations and industrial minerals
Documentation of ores, mineralisations and industrial minerals and rocks is performed as a first step towards a complete picture of the regional potential for metal and mineral exploration. The subproject provides georeferenced data over important mineral and metal occurrences and prospects, with a focus on supply from a Swedish and European perspective. Initially, an inventory of occurrences was undertaken in Västmanland County, and is currently ongoing in Örebro County.
Critical Raw Materials in Bergslagen
These subprojects focus on identification, investigation and description of Critical Raw Material (CRM) occurrences in Bergslagen, in accordance with the European Commission’s list of CRMs. They focus on the potential for rare-earth element (REE), cobalt, indium, and graphite occurrences from both primary (bedrock) and secondary (mining waste) sources. The work includes in part regional scale investigations of primary and secondary material from known, larger, previously mined, occurrences. Efforts have also been made to in detail study less well-known, historically mined occurrences, such as the Vena gruvfält (cobalt), Tuna bergslag (cobalt), Gilltjärn-Skrammelfall (graphite) and greisen-altered Dala granite (indium).
Critical Raw Materials in ores, waste rock and tailings in Bergslagen, SGU-rapport 2020:38
Last reviewed 2023-09-19