Joachim Albrecht, Boliden Mineral: "Quaternary Geology as a Tool in Mineral Exploration."

Abstract: This presentation aims at giving a short introduction to Boliden Mineral as a company in general and Boliden Exploration in particular. Focus will be on the role of geochemistry and Quaternary geology as tools in greenfield exploration. 

Boliden is a mining company with its roots firmly grounded in the Skellefte Mining District. Since its early days 100 years ago, the company has extracted base minerals and precious minerals from several mines in the district, and later also in Bergslagen, Norrbotten, Finland and Ireland. Operation covers the entire value chain from Greenfield Exploration, mining, concentrating, to smelting and refinement.

Exploration is the first step in this chain. Many different exploration techniques are applied, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Traditional methods include boulder hunting and geophysics, but with progressively precise and accurate laboratory methods geochemistry has become an increasingly valuable tool in exploration. Much of the bedrock is covered by Quaternary sediment and therefore it is difficult and expensive to obtain data from the bedrock itself. However, the overburden contains valuable information about the bedrock it is derived from. Understanding the nature of the Quaternary sediment provides an additional layer in interpreting the obtained data and eventually contributes to the success in our exploration efforts.