New research fellow in search of critical metals
Demand for critical raw materials is rapidly increasing in line with the electrification of society. Much of the production of critical raw materials currently takes place outside the EU and Sweden is dependent on imports. In a new research project, researcher Péter Kelemen is looking to Bergslagen to strengthen the EU and Sweden's independence.
Péter Kelemen, a new Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Earth Sciences, is working with researcher Thomas Zack and the Microgeochemistry Group at the University of Gothenburg to reconstruct 1.8 billion years of thermal history in the Bergslagen ore district in central Sweden. The region is rich in critical raw materials that are necessary for the green energy transition but also for society's digitalization, space industry and defense.
How do you reconstruct 1.8 billion years of thermal history?
– To reconstruct 1.8 billion years of thermal history, we analyze how underground temperatures have changed over time, providing insight into the formation and movement of minerals. This is especially important in regions like the Swedish part of the Fennoscandian Shield, which hosts the EU’s largest rare earth element reserves and other critical raw materials.
– We use thermochronology to tackle this and combine two advanced techniques: In-situ Rb-Sr dating of mica to study deep cooling, and Uranium-Thorium/Helium dating of zircon and rutile to track surface processes like erosion. By applying these methods to rocks around key mineral deposits, such as the Bastnäs rare earth elements and Håkansboda copper deposits, we create a detailed timeline of cooling, reheating, and ore formation.
– This is an innovative approach that helps identify undiscovered raw materials and strengthens the EU’s resource independence.
Why is this research important?
– Developing a sustainable supply of strategic metals and minerals in Sweden and the Nordic countries is crucial for the EU's green energy transition. Critical raw materials like rare earth elements, cobalt, and nickel are essential for technologies like wind turbines and electric cars. Currently, the EU relies heavily on politically unstable regions for these materials, making supply chains vulnerable.
– By exploring new deposits within stable EU borders, particularly in the mineral-rich Fennoscandian Shield, Sweden can help secure economic independence and support the transition to a CO2-free society, reducing reliance on external suppliers.
What makes the region Bergslagen special in this regard?
– Bergslagen has a rich history of mining and diverse mineral deposits. The district hosts thousands of mineral occurrences and this project targets some key strategic critical raw material sites, including Håkansboda, Bastnäs and Långban. Långban alone has yielded 270 unique mineral species, making Bergslagen a crucial area for studying mineralization processes and targeting new critical raw material resources in Europe.
What do you expect the project will lead to?
– This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of critical raw material formation and re-mobilization events, supporting the EU's drive for resource independence.
– We also aim to bridge knowledge gaps, foster collaboration, and raise public awareness about the critical need for sustainable resource exploration in Europe.
For further information about this project, please contact:
Péter Kelemen, email: peter.kelemen@gu.se
The research project "CRITTER: Strengthening the Critical Raw Material Independence of the EU through Thermochronology" is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project financed by the EU.