Deposit-to-Regional scale Exploration (D-Rex)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Avdelningen för Geovetenskap och miljöteknik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 5 000 000 |
| Project duration | December 2020 - May 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The overarching goal of the D-REX project is to identify previously unrealised metal endowed regions, via application of a new workflow based on large-scale regional data with the ability to identify the deep source regions of mineralization and transport pathways/mechanisms to the surface. Magnetotelluric data sets have been collected at three economic potential areas in the Fennoscandian shield. The results revealed lithospheric-scale structural controls associated with known near surface mineral deposits and connections to the underlying middle crustal source regions.
Expected long term effects
The D-REX project is based upon the application of the mineral systems concept a potential paradigm shifting approach to mineral deposit identification. Unique magnetotelluiric data sets were collected and combined with other geophysical and geological information revealed lithospheric-scale structural controls associated with known near surface mineral deposits and connections to the underlying lower crustal source regions. New areas for further detailed exploration were identified based on integrated 3D interpretation of all available data.
Approach and implementation
Green transition, ”Net Zero” goals, place a renewed need for improving identification of mineral deposits. The benefit of regional scale studies of mineral systems for determining the processes responsible for their emplacement by identifying indicative geophysical signatures has been demonstrated. New 3-D magnetotelluric data were collected at three regions in Fennoscandia at unprecedented resolution/scale. Data were interpreted using state of the art 3-D modelling/inversion techniques to reveal large scale crustal features indicative of metal endowed regions.