The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) has investigated and mapped several mining areas in Bergslagen. What they wanted to map are so-called innovation-critical metals and minerals.  

- Critical metals and minerals are what the European industry is in great need of. These raw materials are not produced in Europe. There are countries, such as China, that produce these and if they block their supply to Europe, then we have nothing. That is why they are considered critical, says geologist Anders Hallberg at SGU and continues: 

- We have been commissioned by the government to survey the possibilities for the extraction of these critical metals in Sweden.

The quantities stand out

SGU's survey, which focused on mining areas where iron and base metals were previously mined, shows that there are innovation-critical metals and minerals in several places. The places that are highlighted extra in the survey are Vena minefields in Askersund, where high levels of the metal cobalt were found. And the sand magazines at Yxsjöberg's mine in northern Ljusnarsberg municipality.

- In Yxsjöberg there are large quantities of tungsten, the quantities that exist make it stand out really among the others, it is an interesting object, says Anders Hallberg.

Good conditions for sustainability

Bergslagen has traditionally broken metals such as iron, copper, zinc and lead. To some extent, even mentioned tungsten, nickel and sulfur. But SGU's new survey shows that the region also has the potential for innovation-critical metals, such as cobalt, tungsten, indium and more. 

- The survey confirms that Sweden has good conditions for contributing to the long-term and sustainable supply of materials needed for the climate change, says Ildika Antal Lundin, unit manager at SGU.