It may not be easy for a person who has no or little geological or geochemical knowledge to read geological literature or to interpret geological maps. Yet all of this, or most of this literature is available and can be downloaded from the internet. The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) for example, provides a lot of information, both published work and many different types of maps. It is possible for who ever wants to create his/her own geological, geophysical, geochemical etc maps over a desired area using the map generator tool.
For a foreign company, which wants to explore minerals and metals in Sweden, the Survey has wide open doors and provides loads of information through its Drill Core Collection, and other resources. All information is available in English, including detailed guidance on how to apply for exploration permits.
SGU also has a map where Mineral deposits of national interest are shown, but it seems that this map is not entirely updated. What is also quite interesting is that the Swedish government asked SGU to document and survey the potential for so-called innovation critical metals and minerals in Sweden. However, not only SGU has been tasked with a survey, also several other government institutions, such as for example the Swedish Agency for Growth Policy Analysis are much engaged in writing reports regarding the need and occurrence of these critical metals and minerals.
Most of these reports center around the need of these specials metals for a green technology or a sustainable development. Lithium for example is such a metal and is used in the batteries of electric cars and bikes; Vanadium is another example. It is used in so-called redox-flow batteries, which allow storage of wind and solar power for up to a year. Vanadium redox-flow batteries are not a new invention, although it might seem so when reading through current Swedish news articles or the ads of mining companies prospecting in Sweden. Vanadium redox-flow batteries have been in use in Asia for several years already.
What is however forgotten in the current discussion about a green future, is that organic electrolytes can be used in redox flow batteries and that much research is dedicated to exploring this ‘metal-free’ option. Here I cite a sentence from the abstract of the publication by Winsberg et al. (2017; DOI: 10.1002/anie.201604925): “To achieve the goal of “green”, safe, and cost‐efficient energy storage, research has shifted from metal‐based materials to organic active materials in recent years.” And here is the PDF file to the article:
Today ‘only’ 16 mines are in production in Sweden, and the majority of these are located in northernmost Sweden. However, looking on the map that shows all current exploration permits, i.e. where a company has the right to explore an area for specific minerals/metals, then the picture looks quite different. Many places have been circled in for exploration – from Kiruna in the north to Skåne in the south. There are too many dots and areas to even count. Imagine if all of these or just one third of these would lead to a mine in the future.
Imagine also that mining in Sweden is now much promoted and especially mining for Vanadium, as seen by the plans for Österlen in Skåne and Viken in Jämtland. Yet – within a few years – organic material will become available to power redox-flow batteries and Vanadium will no longer be important. What will happen with all the open mines when Vanadium is no longer the ‘new gold’ and when investors are no longer interested in mining of Vanadium? Who will take care of the waste? Are we then just left with polluted water and polluted soils?
I think it would be a good idea to take a step back and consider the real options for green technologies and a sustainable future. After all – metals and minerals are not a renewable source.
Barbara Wohlfarth 