Geological Survey of Finland stakeholder magazine 2/2016

foorumi

The importance of setting Page 5

International GTK offers numerous skills under one roof Page 8

Environmental surveys throughout the mine’s life cycle Page 14 Contents In Brief...... 4

The importance of setting. . . . .5

International GTK offers: Numerous skills under one roof . .8

Research benefits everyone. . . 12

Environmental surveys throughout the mine’s life cycle ...... 14

New publications...... 19

Dramatic increase in the wheat crop on Ethiopia Page 9

3D modelling Geofoorumi 2/2016 Publisher: Geological Survey of Finland, brings safety www.gtk.fi to disposal of Editor in chief: Marie-Louise Wiklund nuclear waste Layout and design: Mainostoimisto SST Oy Page 17 Editorial board: Olli Breilin, Veli-Matti Jalovaara, Jarmo Kohonen, Petri Lintinen, Satu Ojanen, Marie-Louise Wiklund.

Front cover: Lehtikuva Printed by Lönnberg Painot Oy ISSN 1796-1475 DIRECTOR’S NOTE Geosciences play a growing role in supporting sustainable global development

Rapid growth of the Earth’s population and the middle class have created entirely new challenges for the management of sustainable development. People all over the world want their share of the increased well-being during their lifetime, not in the future. Urbanisation, the digital lifestyle and global change are megatrends that grow increasingly rapidly all over the globe. The availability and sus- tainable production of minerals, food, clean water and low-carbon energy have become critical factors for sustainable development. The increasing pace in which our environment changes and becomes polluted deepens regional problems. Geosciences are in a key role in solving all these challenges. Great challenges require, however, development of new competences in geo- sciences as well, and most of all, closer cooperation with other natural sciences, as well as actors in the fields of engineering, economics and social sciences. The problems are becoming increasingly complex, and geologists cannot solve them alone.

Great challenges require “ closer cooperation with other natural sciences”

GTK’s strategy is based on four focus areas: digital solutions, clean- tech, built environments and mineral economics. Digital approach is crucial to all our processes, and easy access to high-quality geoscientific data forms the basis for all kinds of nature-based solutions. Cleantech refers to technology, services and processes that promote the sustainable use of natural resources while at the same time reducing emissions. We are well-positioned in the circular economy to advance processes and services that minimise waste, increase recyclability and protect our natural endowments. In order to build better environments, GTK generates geo- logical information critical to urban development, land use planning, con- struction, tunnelling, infrastructure and associated environmental issues. In the mineral sector, we play a key role in promoting mineral economics in accordance with the Green Mining Concept to secure the availability of mineral resources and ensure their future sustainable use. In cooperation with our partners, we aim to provide our stakeholders geoscientific expertise that helps them succeed.

Pekka A. Nurmi Director, Science and Innovations [email protected]

Geofoorumi is the in-house mag- Subscription requests and GTK Contact Information azine of the Geological Survey of change-of-address information Finland (GTK). It is published twice may be submitted by email to Geological Survey of Finland a year and its articles cover topics [email protected]. www.gtk.fi of interest to professionals in ge- ology and the community at large. Tel. +358 29 503 0000 The spring issue is in Finnish and the autumn one in English. IN BRIEF Overview of the most important mineral deposits in the Arctic

All available information on the most important metal and diamond deposits in the Arctic has been assembled and made accessible. The Geological Survey of Norway has led the project which has involved eight countries in the Arctic, GTK from Finland. The products include a book, a data- base and a map, collectively representing the first systematic documentation of in- Pertti Sarala appointed joint formation on the most important mineral Research Professor of deposits in the Arctic. geochemical exploration http://geo.ngu.no/kart/circumarctic/

Pertti Sarala has been appointed joint Research Professor of geochemical exploration at the GTK and the Mining School of the University of Oulu. The appointment is for five years. Pertti Sarala is specialised in applied Quaternary and surficial geology and geochemistry in ore exploration. His focus has been on advanced, low-impact geochemical exploration techniques that leave minor traces to the environment and are therefore suitable for northern regions. – The joint professorship creates more opportunities for using soil surveying and applied geochemistry in ore exploration and for the de- velopment of new methods, especially in northern Finland, Pertti Sarala says.

Mining projects

integrated to their Why is it so important to evaluate the environmental impact of mines and environments to implement the EIA process? through EIA process

New tools and methods for mineral prospectivity mapping The Year

Powerful methods for spatial data analysis are essential tools for ana- of Geology lyzing the vast and growing mineral exploration data. The expanding exploration campaigns and mining industry in northern Finland have created a demand for time- and cost-saving exploration techniques that are also environmentally neutral. Therefore, GTK aim to provide methods 2015 that will enhance data-analysis procedures. The Mineral Prospectivity Modeler (MPM) project is aimed at address- The annual review 2015 of GTK is available ing this challenge by conducting research and developing new tools for in online format. The annual review in- spatial data analysis and mineral prospectivity modeling. The project is cludes numerous stories about our opera- specifically focused on dynamic optimization of the spatial models used tions. In the website, you can read about in target scale exploration, where the amount of information and data for example the new method developed for increases during an exploration campaign. mine water purification. In addition, the project will develop a web-based map service that will utilize the public geodata provided by GTK. This tool will enable evalua- tion of the mineral potential in Finland in the early stages of exploration, which will complement the already existing services. annualreview2015.gtk.fi

4 Geofoorumi 2/2016 Overview of the most RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT important mineral deposits in the Arctic The importance of setting Text: Greg Moore

Backed by a mineral system approach, lasers, electron microscopes, mass spectrometers, nanotomography, neural networks and big data computing, geologists are exploring geological settings in surprising new ways. Geofoorumi talked with Research Professor Ferenc Molnár, structural geologist Muhammad Sayab and Research Professor Vesa Nykänen about the Mineral Systems and Prospectivity Mapping (MinSysPro) project.

Understanding critical formation broadly to identify the pro- processes cesses critical in its creation. We con- vert this understanding into mappable The MinSysPro research consortium, Microscale parameters to establish vectors useful including GTK, the University of Oulu, understanding“ for finding ore deposits, and more spe- private industry partners and interna- cifically, to establish the probability of tional scientists now aims at exploration can be easily finding related ore deposits. within the geological setting to pre- Finland offers ideal conditions for dict under-cover mineral resources in connected developing the mineral systems ap- Finnish Lapland through application of proach. GTK’s excellent database of novel research techniques and comput- to larger discovered deposits is suitable for com- er-based mineral prospectivity mapping bining with mineral prospectivity map- based on mineral system models. The structures. ping and probability calculations, notes MinSysPro project is supported by the Molnár, Academy of Finland’s Mineral Resources power of analytical tools grew, geol- – We validate and calibrate our ap- and Material Substitution Programme. ogists began to make huge strides in proach by seeing if our models can ‘dis- Ferenc Molnár, who leads the Min- evaluation of ore exploration areas cover’ or reveal known deposits. If they SysPro project, encountered the “ho- through improved knowledge of be- also predict unknown deposits, well, listic” mineral systems approach in the havior of metals and their transport- even better. 1990s while working in Canada. ing media in large-scale geological Through selection of relevant data – Back then it was more of an in- systems. Today, we don’t jump to an based on an improved understanding tuition as to how we might improve analogous deposit until we have sys- of the geological evolution processes our exploration approach, but as the tematically examined the context of ore involved in ore formation, researchers

Volume rendering of an GTK’s Research Professor arsenopyrite crystal (blue), Ferenc Molnár leads the showing pyrite (yellow) and MinSysPro project. rutile (red) inclusions. The image, generated through X-ray nanotomography, pro- vides a top-down view of the arsenopyrite crystal from the Suurikuusikko gold deposit in Geofoorumi 2/2016 5 Finnish Lapland. not only characterize the probability of metals. Under appropriate conditions, of hydrocarbons. Finland’s black schist an occurrence, but identify the critical gold is transported by sulfur-bearing deposits, which were great for metal parameters and incorporate them into complexes in hydrothermal solutions. deposit formation, display this feature. mineral prospectivity mapping. Sulfur, the ninth most common el- ement in the universe, forms deep in Synchrotron time Sulfur surprise large stars and groups with the building blocks of life: hydrogen, carbon, oxy- GTK micro-structural geologist, Senior Most of us associate sulfur with volca- gen, nitrogen, and phosphorous. In- Scientist Muhammad Sayab notes noes, acid rain or sewer smells, but a deed, when life was starting out in the that geologists are enlisting powerful quick look at the periodic table of the el- time before our oxygen atmosphere, non-traditional tools in their work. ements indicates why it is so important bacteria relied on sulfate-reduction to – Microscale studies allow a close- in ore exploration. Sulfur, because of its “breathe.” The formation of Finland’s up examination of the transportation versatile atomic structure, seems to be a Paleoproterozoic basins, which took channels in the rock, mineral texture critical factor in formation of many, but about 400 million years, coincided with and composition. Nature has fractal certainly not all, ore deposits. It binds an explosion in bacterial life on earth. properties. What we see at microscale readily, for example, with copper, nickel These sediments are rich in sulfides manifests most of the time at the mac- and iron to form commercially impor- from microbial activity that concentrat- roscale. tant sulfide ores. ed metals such as nickel, cobalt, gold, The revolution in microtomography, – The capacity for sulfidic ore for- copper, molybdenum and vanadium, the 3D imaging of tiny objects, is leading mation in magmatic processes requires says Molnár, developments in microstructural geol- understanding the source of the parent – One aspect of our interest in sul- ogy. melt such as a mantle plume or some fur, which has several stable isotope – Traditionally, structural geologists melting process in the lower crust. But forms, are the specific isotopic signa- relied on cutting thin slices to see in- you also need sulfur, lots of sulfur. The tures of these systems that allow us to side the rock. Thin-section preparation intruding magma is not necessarily date mobilizing events. The sea bottom is both time-consuming and destroys rich in sulfur and must encounter sul- where these metal-bearing sediments sample integrity. Microtomography is fur-rich rocks during its emplacement. collected may have been anoxic for mil- a non-destructive technique and that Sulfur is important both in making val- lions of years, we then see a sudden high gives us the inside story of the rock uable minerals and transporting certain temperature gradient and mobilization sample without cutting it! Last year we

A B tag">C

3D distribution of gold grains and A: Rutile inclusions rendered in red and C: The gold grain is rendered yellow and mineral inclusions in three grains of pyrite inclusions in yellow. rutile in red. The preferential alignment arsenopyrite from the Suurikuusikko of rutile inclusions within the crystal is deposit imaged with Synchrotron radia- B: Individual minerals and crystal quite clear here. tion-based nanotomography carried out rendered in different colors for better at the European Synchrotron Radiation visibility and contrast in 3D. Gold is ren- Facility, Grenoble, France: dered in vivid yellow, rutile in red, what is probably chromium oxide (CrO) in green, and pyrite in brown. 6 Geofoorumi 2/2016 1 2

1. Analysis of the compositional zoning gold and subtle changes in S-isotope 2. Mappable criteria selected in pyrite, a technique for reconstructing composition that suggest the Au-bear- according to the mineral system model the ore-forming process, is applied here ing and Au-absent fluids have different are integrated into a prospectivity map to a pyrite sample from the Suurikuusik- origins. The Au-absent rim of pyrite with known deposits (circles) to highlight ko deposit. A: False-color scanning was formed during the superimposing areas favorable for orogenic gold depos- electron microscope image of zoning in deformation of the gold-bearing pyrite. its in Central Lapland. arsenic distribution (warmer = more As). Microscale analyses were performed B: Zoned pyrite showing outer zone lacks with laser ablation ICP-MS technique.

performed our first ultra-high-resolu- mineralsin situ before we removed the Targeting the work tion X-ray nanotomography experiment crystals for the nanotomography scans. at the European Synchrotron Radiation – The 3D nanotomography showed Prospectivity mapping is the final piece Facility in Grenoble, France, reports the distribution of gold grains and other of the ore discovery puzzle. With the Sayab. mineral inclusions within the crystals. relevant data based on the mineral sys- Microscale understanding can be The gold was not free, but locked and tem model established, the patterns easily connected to larger structures, oriented in the arsenopyrite crystal. found in the data are imposed on the the fabric of the rock, the distribution of The microstructure was astounding! data, which may come from physical metals and minerals in the rock. It also You could easily see a rule of distribu- geology, geochemistry, or airborne and gives valuable clues about the channels tion at ten micrometers that correlated ground geophysics measurements. The of mineral formation. back up to the visual level of around one results are integrated with the model – We can today take a single mineral centimeter. and subject to weights of evidence, fuzzy grain and collect tremendous amounts The experiment also showed the ef- logic, neural networks and logistic re- of information, including compositional fects of geological processes in micro- gression. The result is a prospectivity data, trace elements, isotopic data, and scopic fractures within the crystal. How- map that can be tested against known 3D mineral quantification down to the ever, as the Synchrotron beam could deposits. nanoscale to determine shape, volume not capture the antimony-nickel-cobalt Vesa Nykänen, who heads up Min- and orientation of individual minerals. inclusions, the sample was further SysPro mineral prospectivity mapping With limited availability of synchro- examined at GTK with a laser ablation projects, says, tron beam time, competition is intense inductively coupled mass spectrome- – Once our data are integrated with and only peer-reviewed projects get ter (LA-ICP-MS), which enables highly the model to provide a basis for the pro- approved. sensitive elemental and isotopic anal- spectivity mapping workflow, we move – When we applied for Europe- ysis to be performed directly on solid to the crucial step of validation. Here, an Synchrotron beam time, we turned samples. we first perform statistical tests on what out to be rather odd birds. You don’t Summarizes Sayab, we think we know about mineral de- see too many geologists using syn- – Our 3D micro- and nanoscale posits to see how well the prospectivity chrotrons! We thought we had rath- analysis provided insights into the mi- model classifies known deposits or oc- er mundane samples, some arseno- crostructural processes affecting gold currences. The ultimate test, of course, pyrite grains from the well-studied formation. It comports well with our is to drill predicted targets not known Suurikuusikko deposit in north- broader goal of obtaining information earlier. Exploration costs can skyrock- ern Finland, site of Europe’s biggest useful exploration, and provides a new et at this point. But if we have done the gold mine operated by Agnico-Eagle multi-modal approach for ore geolo- science right and we have asked the Finland Oy. We had already scanned gists in analyzing ore textures through right questions, we should find new the prepared drill core samples to es- the combining of micro- and nanoto- deposits. tablish the size, shape, spatial distribu- mography with the trace element geo- tion and geometrical orientation of the chemistry.

Geofoorumi 2/2016 7 A sample of mixed Azurite CO-OPERATION and Malachite.

International GTK offers: Numerous SKILLS under one roof

Text: Jaana Ahlblad

Food security, urban geology, mineral resources, sustainable mining, cleantech, risk management, digital solutions. GTK has comprehensive expertise in many fields. In Africa, GTK has gained experience over many decades, starting in the 1970s.

During these years, GTK has participated in co-operation The delegates were also interested in GTK’s capability to projects in Angola, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, support Egypt in establishing certified laboratories. Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. GTK – one of the largest geo- Another important topic in Espoo was food security. logical research centres in Europe – is now heading to Malawi – We are delighted that the Egyptian business delegation and Cameroon. contacted us and we hope to conduct projects together with our Egyptian partners, says Philipp Schmidt-Thomé, Head of Minerals in the Golden Triangle International Cooperation at GTK. He adds that GTK collaborates with the Natural Resources The “Golden Triangle” megaproject connects three industrial Institute Finland to combine the best possible expertise, for centres between the Nile River and the Red Sea in southern example, in issues concerning food security. Egypt. The project aims to create new industrial and mining Schmidt-Thomé also emphasises GTK’s knowledge in cli- projects and develop agriculture and tourism. The area of mate change adaptation and risk management. 6,000 square kilometres has oil reserves, rich mineral re- – We address challenges through vulnerability analyses sources, ongoing mining, important agricultural areas and a and communication with local experts to identify best ways growing travel business. to manage different types of risks. The Federation of Egyptian Industries recently visited Fin- With this methodology, GTK has successfully supported land. Egyptian delegates and GTK geospecialists discussed the climate change adaptation in more than 10 countries. specific needs of the Golden Triangle. There is a need for mod- ern solutions regarding the mineral potential and re-mining, as well as the mining environment and cleantech.

8 Geofoorumi 2/2016 Dramatic increase in the wheat crop in Ethiopia

Remarkably good things can come out of a relatively small I owe this to project. my“ home country. In many parts of Ethiopia the soil is highly acidic. This dis- turbs agriculture and drastically reduces crop yields. Adding the right amount of carbonate (lime) with the right proportion Research was conducted on actual farms in the Oromia of fertilizers significantly increases soil health and produc- region. tivity. – I wanted to hear the experiences of the real farmers and Adding lime cuts the need for fertilization in half. The ma- learn from them. The average size of smallholder farmers’ jor increase in productivity reduces labour-intensive activities land is less than 0.5 hectares, so it is crucial to make the soil on the farm, ensures household food security and increases productive, says Tegist Chernet. the possibilities for basic education of children. It also lessens She points out that the population of Ethiopia is rapid- pressure on deforestation, as more land does not need to be ly growing, but the overall land area will remain the same. acquired for farming. Small fields will soon be further divided among the children The beneficial results of the project implemented by GTK, of farmers, and smaller fields must produce enough to feed the Geological Survey of Ethiopia, the Oromia Agricultural Re- the families. search Institute, the Natural Resources Institute of Finland and Agriculture is a key sector in Ethiopia’s economy. More the Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia have also been noted than 40% of its GDP and 85% of export earnings come from by FAO, UNDP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and agriculture. The government puts a lot of emphasis on secure many public and private operators. The budget for the project food production in the country. implemented in 2014–15 was only 500,000 euros. Tegist Chernet has worked hard to obtain more funding to The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has awarded continue and upscale the project, even to other regions. She another 700,000 euros in funding. has put her whole heart into this work. Chernet left Ethiopia – We will now assess the lime resources and plan farm 20 years ago to study in Finland, and she feels that she owes a trials lasting three seasons. It would be important to know lot to her home country. whether a single dosage of lime could be enough to maintain – I received a good education and a good start in life. I sufficient soil productivity for at least five years, says project know that most of my relatives can’t get a proper meal even manager, Senior Scientist Tegist Chernet from GTK. once a day. I follow my father’s advice: “Remember! These This would help to keep the agricultural costs as low as farmers paid for your education without educating themselves. possible for the farmers, especially by minimizing lime trans- They gave you all out of their poverty.” Now it’s my time to portation expenses. pay them back. – Based on trial results from upscaled experimental areas, we could compile specific recommendations for the region, Chernet continues.

It would be important to know whether a single dosage of lime could be enough to maintain sufficient soil productivity for at least five years, says project manager, Senior Scientist Tegist Chernet from GTK. Modern tools to find minerals Riitta Teerilahti has solid experience in capacity building and training co-operation in Africa. She stepped onto her Af- rican path over 20 years ago in Namibia. Much of Africa’s mineral resources are still undiscovered and The stakeholders in PanAfGeo (Geoscientific Knowledge & underexploited, as noted by the African Union Conference Skills in African Geological Surveys) are the African Union, the of Ministers. By developing systematic geological mapping, World Bank, Unesco, UNDP and many others. much larger resource potential could be brought to daylight. The PanAfGeo project is now addressing this demand. http://panafgeo.eurogeosurveys.org/ PanAfGeo is an EU–African initiative to improve geoscien- tific knowledge, skills and practices, as well as the availability of good quality data from geological surveys in Africa. – We will develop and apply the latest methods of mineral Digitalising bedrocks exploration with our African colleagues, says Senior Expert in Malawi and Cameroon Riitta Teerilahti from GTK. By collecting and combining different types of data, it is “Enormous project, excellent results” is how one could de- possible to create specific models to evaluate the mineral po- scribe the assessment work carried out in Uganda a few years tential and find new mineral resources. Upgrading of geolog- ago. GTK was the leader in a project that targeted the updat- ical data and making it easily available in digital format will ing of Uganda’s geodata and compiling of geological maps in a attract foreign investors and enhance business opportunities modern form. Digimaps are especially beneficial for investors in Africa. interested in mineral resources. – Geoscientific information can also be used in monitor- – Before Uganda, we carried out related work in Mozam- ing the environmental status, planning strategic land use and bique. Large projects of this kind require the special expertise supporting agriculture, Teerilahti adds. that GTK has, assures Senior Scientist Hannu Mäkitie. Ten European geological surveys are taking part in the Next, GTK’s specialists and their partners are heading to ambitious PanAfGeo project. In Africa, the counterpart is the Malawi and Cameroon to work on similar bedrock mapping Organization of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), which rep- projects in co-operation with the French Geological Survey resents a large number of national geological surveys. PanAf- (BRGM). Geo consists of eight work packages; GTK is the leader of the – The fields of geochemistry, geophysics and ore geology mineral resources entity. are also included these projects. In addition, we will train our – The project’s aim is to cover more than 50 African coun- Malawian and Cameroonian colleagues on the latest mapping tries. Training will be provided in English, French and Portu- techniques, which is a very important part of the work, Mäkitie guese. After three years, possible continuation of the project adds. will be assessed, Teerilahti tells.

The mapping of the geology and mineral resources of Uganda was implemented by a consortium headed by the GTK together with the Geological Survey and Mines Department of Uganda (DGSM). CO-OPERATION

Finnish supervisors in Mozambique

It requires plenty of careful planning to build a major project. Elaborate and close supervision is also needed to achieve the planned goals efficiently and correctly. GTK has now taken on this demanding supervisory role in Mozambique, together with the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy of Mozambique. The Mining and Gas Technical Assistance Project (MAG- TAP) has five components, each with multiple sub-compo- nents. One of the sub-projects covers the themes of acquiring and utilising geodata. Under this project are 16 sub-projects that GTK is precisely monitoring. – We make sure that the projects are planned well, the best operators are chosen and the work is carried out properly in every way. We can also take part in negotiations considering changes in the project plans, says Maija Kurimo, Senior Spe- cialist at GTK. Kurimo says GTK is globally well known for its good rep- utation. – GTK has proven its competence and reliability through the continuity of its work. In Africa, we started working in the 1970s, and co-operation is still going on. We emphasize the quality of our work. Ensuring food security is one of the most important Maija Kurimo’s personal career in Africa began 20 years tasks of any state. The geological approach allows to ago. Ms Kurimo always enjoys meeting people in Africa. understand the quality of soil in different areas and – They have made a big impression. I enjoy working with what measures are required in order to improve my African colleagues, Kurimo tells. the productivity of the soil. Maija Kurimo and other specialists from GTK will supervise a geoscientific infrastructure development programme in Mo- zambique lasting five years. One project sector comprising an airborne geophysical survey in selected strategic areas rich in mineral resources has already effectively achieved its goals.

GTK’s areas of expertise

Sustainable mineral economy Food security

How can sustainability be created? At GTK we know. Our solid How can soil productivity be increased? At GTK we know. We knowledge covers the entire life cycle of mining. Our expertise have long-term experience in the improvement of agricultur- in this area is globally highly valued. We have a wide spectrum al soils and in agro-mineral resources. We also have strong of know-how in mineral potential exploration and ecologically knowledge in securing groundwater resources. efficient processing of ores. GTK Mintec is Europe’s leading test laboratory in customised research and continuous process Cleantech testing at the pilot scale. How can recyclability be increased? At GTK we know. We are Built environments advancing processes that reduce waste and increase recycla- bility. We identify in the potential of geo-energy as source of How can better environments be built? At GTK we know. We energy, as well as in heating and cooling. generate critical geological information for urban develop- ment, land-use planning, infrastructure and construction. Digital solutions For example, mineral aggregates, from asphalt and concrete aggregates to railway ballast, play a significant role in our How can geological information be digitalized? At GTK we modern world. We know how to assess and manage aggre- know. We have over 35 years of experience in digital data man- gate resources. Plus, we have over 10 years of experience in agement. Our cartographic skills and techniques represent all developing and implementing climate change adaptation and the possibilities for the dynamic and innovative use of digital natural hazard mitigation. information. We take advantage of the latest state-of-the-art technology.

Geofoorumi 2/2016 11 CO-OPERATION Research benefits everyone

Text: Outi Airaksinen

The Finnish Geosciences Research Laboratory is a place for networking and creating new information and methods for the geo-sector. An increasing amount of research is based on cooperation.

The Finnish Geosciences Research Lab- this work in situ, directly on the sample, equipment for their own use for a fee oratory (SGL) located in Espoo produc- so we know exactly the relationships of by using the public calendar on the es and publishes new research data on a the minerals we are analyzing” says the laboratory’s website. The laboratory’s frequent basis. isotope group head, Senior Scientist reputation has grown through a network The laboratory is a joint collabo- Hugh O’Brien. of users, and customers from China, ration of GTK and the universities of I addition to solid samples, also liq- Spain, Sweden, Denmark and the United Aalto, Helsinki, Oulu, Turku, and Åbo uids can be analysed in the laboratory. States have used the facilities for their Akademi. For analysing minerals and Analysing water samples from rivers own research. materials to sub 100 nanometer scale, using the ultra-trace capability of the The University of Helsinki uses the SGL features a field emission scanning laboratory, for example, could identify equipment for both research projects electron microscope (FE-SEM). For an anomaly that might ultimately lead and conducting studies for students’ detecting ultra-trace element concen- to the discovery of an ore deposit. theses. trations, the laboratory uses a single – It is very important for us to cre- collector inductively coupled plasma Method development ate interaction between researchers spectrometry (SC-ICPMS) and for iso- is important through the laboratory, which also tope work, a multi-collector inductive- allows us to develop our methods. In ly coupled plasma mass spectrometry Nowadays, cooperation is more of a rule the future, we must work together on (MC-ICPMS). Both are equipped with than an exception in research, where spearhead projects and on method de- Excimer lasers. analytical instrumentation is expensive velopment, says Tapani Rämö, Profes- – Now we can do a lot of measure- and budgets are tight. sor of geology and mineralogy at the ments that were not possible in Finland – The only alternatives are to in- University of Helsinki. earlier. We can analyze lower concen- crease cooperation or stop doing cut- Joint use of equipment can also give trations of elements in minerals, create ting-edge research. For us, coopera- birth to new innovations when person- isotope profiles for them and with the tion is the only possible option, Hugh nel and students of different organ- right minerals, determine their age. The O´Brien says. isations meet each other in a natural most important fact is that we can do Third parties can also reserve SGL’s setting.

12 Geofoorumi 2/2016 According to Hugh O’Brien, there substances without physically breaking standard required to keep up with in- is no need to acquire new laboratory them. The purpose of the project is to ternational competition, Lahtinen says. equipment in the near future. However, combine research from across the entire one goal is to upgrade the measurement raw material chain and become a global Cooperation also in education capabilities of the MC-ICPMS acquired leader in the field. in 2008. “It is a relatively small invest- – In circular economy, better under- Cooperation benefits everyone. Univer- ment, but an important one. It would standing of both primary and recycled sities benefit when students get funding allow us to make measurements that raw materials is needed in order to uti- and have the opportunity to work in real are as much as 50 times more sensitive lise the materials in the most cost-effi- environments in the research institu- than today,” O’Brien explains. cient and environmentally friendly way. tions. GTK’s specialists, on the other We must participate in creating a Finn- hand, regularly travel to different places A wide perspective ish solution for the circular economy to develop their competence or to par- of the research subject of geological materials, says Research ticipate in different research projects. Professor Raimo Lahtinen from GTK. The national economy also benefits GTK has an extensive network and GTK has also participated in coordi- when the best specialists work together works in cooperation with many organ- nation of large EU projects that have in- and research can be targeted in an op- isations in various fields. In the field of creased the visibility of GTK’s expertise timal way. – We try to apply for funding marine research, for example, GTK is a – not to mention new requests for part- for projects and, in the future, we also member of a consortium that, in ad- nership in many international research plan to develop more joint research pro- dition to marine geology, studies ma- projects. For example, GTK is one of the jects with universities, Lahtinen says. rine biology among other subjects. The 120 members of the EIT Raw Materials In addition to joint research pro- Finnish Marine Research Infrastructure consortium, which consists of research jects, GTK participates in thesis projects (FINMARI) network, founded in 2013, institutions, companies and universities of universities, which have traditionally includes four research institutions, from all over Europe. used a lot of GTK’s facilities. GTK and three universities and Arctia Shipping Cooperation and networking are the University of Helsinki have also had Ltd, which is owned by the Finnish gov- necessary not only from the point of extensive cooperation in the field of ed- ernment. view of costs, but also competence. In ucation. GTK also participates in the RAMI Finland GTK is at the centre of the field – Many of GTK’s experts are docents (Raw MatTERS Finland Infrastructure) of geology and can act as a hub with who teach specific courses in their own project in cooperation with VTT and which universities can cooperate. field of expertise. These experts also Aalto University. The organisations par- – At the national level, it is very often supervise theses. An important ticipating in the project are planning to important that we create competence portion of our Master’s theses is relat- acquire microtomography equipment clusters and innovation ecosystems that ed to collaboration with the GTK, Tapani next year. It will allow us to analyse the are strong enough and reach the high Rämö says. structure and strength properties of

Page 12: At the Finland Geosciences Research Laboratory from left: Senior Scientist Hugh O’Brien from GTK, academy postdoctoral researcher Shenghong Yang from University of Oulu and Research Professor Raimo Lahtinen from GTK.

Page 13: In the future, we must work together on spearhead projects and on method development, says Tapani Rämö, Professor of geology and mineralogy at the University of Helsinki.

Valokuva: Päivi Kauppila, GTK Geofoorumi 2/2016 13 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Environmental surveys throughout the mine’s life cycle

Text: Timo Hämäläinen

GTK makes its first surveys on a mining environment when the mine is in its planning stage and its involvement only ends when the mine is closed down.

All stages of a mines life cycle require knowledge of environmental impact based on adequate expertise.

14 Geofoorumi 2/2016 - The first surveys are already made when the mining com- - There is now more emphasis on water management and pany is preparing plans for the mine and is applying for active water treatment methods are under development. We the environmental permit, explains Päivi Kauppila, Senior have been cooperating with the University of Eastern Finland Scientist at GTK. in the development of methods in which uranium and sul- GTK maps the soil and the geochemical baseline of phate are removed from mine water. groundwater and surface water, examines the characteristics Experts at GTK are also examining whether natural pro- of the mining waste generated by the operations and prepares cesses could be used in water treatment. For example, wet- reports on the environmental impacts of the mining oper- lands could be used to supplement active water treatment ations. The information will be used in the environmental methods. permit application. The aim in the KaiHaMe project is to develop waste man- For the environmental impact assessment, scientists at agement methods. The project is funded by the European GTK determine how the waters and waste of the mining area Regional Development Fund (ERDF), GTK, Kemira Oyj, FQM can be managed so that the operations are in accordance with Kevitsa Mining Oy and Endomines Oy. the principle of sustainable development. The aim is to reduce the amount of waste generated by the Environmental - We determine how the waste should be handled and operations and their environmental impacts and to increase what would be its best location, what would be the suitable waste utilization. Beneficiation tests and lysimeter tests are disposal method and could the waste be used in some way, under way. says Kauppila. The beneficiation tests are carried out at GTK Mintec, surveys throughout The environmental surveys will continue when the mine is GTK´s pilot-scale test plant located in Outokumpu. already operational. The aim is to develop processes that are Reduction of arsenic content in tailings is one area under more efficient and less polluting. investigation in the beneficiation tests. This would help to The closure of the mine and the time after the closure are reduce the amount of hazardous arsenic waste. One idea is to the mine’s life cycle also considered in the plans. For example, the aim is to en- use tailings to cover other mining waste. sure that the waste is disposed and processed so that it will - The smaller the amount of environmentally hazardous not cause any environmental damage after the closure. GTK waste, the lower the costs arising from processing and dispos- is also actively involved in the development of other tools and al of the waste. More efficient recovery of valuable substances methods for mine closure. Mine Closure Wiki (http://mineclo- from side streams and wastewater and efficient use of raw sure.gtk.fi), a wikisite on mine closure was launched last year. materials contained in the ores would help to make production more profitable. Broad range of different research GTK, the National Institute for Health and Welfare and the University of Eastern Finland have jointly developed an inte- The environmental impacts of a mine largely depend on which grated risk assessment model for assessing both ecological ore is extracted and how well the waters and waste of the mine and health risks. are managed.

Tools for sustainable gold mining

The partners in SUSMIN project have solutions used in their extraction and methods based on electrical conductiv- investigated and developed tools to the fact that gold often occurs in com- ity, which allow estimation of mixing in support environmentally, socially and bination with arsenopyrite. Arsenic is a such environments as rivers to be deter- economically sustainable gold mining toxic substance and must not be allowed mined. in EU. to spread into the environment. The method based on the monitor- The cooperation project, which In the SUSMIN project, GTK has fo- ing of stable isotopes provides a tool for is coordinated by GTK, involves sev- cused on the development of mining determining the sources of the water en research institutes and universities environments and enrichment tech- occurring in a mine. in different parts of Europe and nine nologies. GTK and its SUSMIN partners will international mining and technology - We have developed risk-assess- present the results in more detail in companies. ment tools that the mines and author- the final seminar, which will be held in Gold provides an opportunity for ities can use in quantifying the risks Finland in October 2016. The reports will more economic prosperity in Europe. caused by discharge waters, explains be used as a basis for recommendations However, there are problems: the low Antti Pasanen, Chief Scientist at GTK. for the mining industry, environmental content of gold in ores, the cyanide GTK has also developed measuring authorities and consultancies.

Geofoorumi 2/2016 15 GTK’s services are also available to customers outside Finland. For example, in Namibia, GTK was preparing a na- tional uranium policy, while in Peru and Tanzania, it has de- veloped environmental management practices for small-scale mining projects.

Cooperating with partners

GTK plans the research requirements in cooperation with its customers (mining companies and consultancies). The areas concerned usually require in-depth research expertise. Most of the projects are joint undertakings receiving funding from more than one source. In these projects, GTK is co-operating with research institutes, universities, mining companies and consultancies. GTK is also involved in the development of environmental impact management in a number of major EU projects, such as ProMine and EuRARE.

Acid mine drainage. Photo: Päivi Kauppila, GTK.

The broad range of different fibre measurement methods are extremely well suited to continuous and long-term monitoring in urban and natural environments.

Detecting leaks by means of fibre optic measurements

The DTS method detects weak points in – The method is low-cost with good Depending on the site, seismic sig- dams through which liquids can pene- accuracy. The temperatures can be nals can also be determined by means trate the structure. measured for the whole length of the ca- of the acoustic DAS method or the DTSS GTK applies the DTS method (Dis- ble simultaneously, explains Ilkka Mar- (strain) method, which measures strain tributed Temperature Sensing) to such tinkauppi, Research Assistant at GTK. and pressure inside the structure. purposes as the monitoring of temper- The broad range of different fibre atures in energy wells and mine dams. Continuous monitoring measurement methods are extreme- The condition of a dam can be moni- ly well suited to continuous and long- tored using an arrangement in which an If the temperature of the dam and the term monitoring in urban and natural optical fibre cable inside the structure liquid are the same, the structure can be environments. The contract with the receives laser pulses from a measuring monitored by means of the active A-DTS GTK may only include the planning and instrument. If the temperature of the method. supply of technology or it may also cover measurement point differs from what is In the A-DTS method, as the tem- the monitoring of the dam. normal, liquid has probably penetrated perature is being measured, the fibre ca- – We can also train the customer’s the structure. ble is heated and the effective thermal personnel to use the equipment. Moni- Based on the backscattering of the conductivity of the structure is deter- toring of temperatures can be on the site laser pulses, the temperatures can be mined. Changes in thermal conductiv- or by means of remote monitoring. We measured every metre and with an ac- ity of the structure give an indication of will provide the customers with moni- curacy of 0.1 degrees Celsius. The length changes in liquid content. toring reports, Martinkauppi adds. of the cable can be several kilometres.

16 Geofoorumi 2/2016 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

3D modelling brings safety to disposal of nuclear waste

Text: Vesa Tompuri

GTK has performed R&D work serving the safety of nuclear waste disposal for almost 40 years. At the current estimate, the disposal of nuclear waste in the Finnish bedrock in the immediate vicinity of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant will start in 2023.

The first two nuclear power plants were new knowledge with practical applica- must serve the decision-making of the built in Finland in the 1970s. Two of tion and method development. disposal companies and authorities. It the reactors constructed at the time In late 1970s and early 1980s, when is a question of what kinds of solutions and still in use were built in Olkiluoto this research began, the first object of can be considered safe enough, says located in the municipality of Eurajoki study was to determine the suitabil- Ruskeeniemi. on the western coast of Finland. At the ity of Finnish bedrock for disposal of moment it is estimated that the third high-level nuclear waste. It was based Exact science reactor unit will be taken into use by the on international criteria applied to end of the current decade. Finnish conditions. For almost the entirety of its 40-year The disposal of nuclear waste has – Seismically Finland is among the duration, the nuclear waste disposal naturally been in the agenda of Finnish most stable areas in the world. For ex- project has aimed at decision-mak- nuclear power companies from the very ample, even eastern Sweden is seismi- ers having enough reliable informa- start. cally more active. Of course, there are tion to support their decision making. – Teollisuuden Voima Oy operates many other basic factors to take into A necessary condition of selecting the the power plant in Olkiluoto and For- account, such as future ice ages, and disposal site was the general informa- tum Oyj operates the two reactor units the fact that groundwater becomes sa- tion about Finnish bedrock provided in Loviisa east of Helsinki. line the deeper you get, says Timo Rus- by the GTK. However, it was not nearly Teollisuuden Voima Oy and Fortum keeniemi, Research Scientist at GTK. enough for the purposes of the disposal Oyj jointly own Posiva Oy established in Taking ice ages into account is programme; what was needed now was 1995. Posiva’s primary operating ration- significant because safe disposal of new knowledge about subjects that had ale is the disposal of spent nuclear fuel high-level nuclear waste must be tar- not been studied before. created by the power plants of its owner geted at hundreds of thousands of years. Before, it was enough to know the companies. Consequently, when planning struc- properties of the rock, for example, at Posiva has delivered enormous tures for disposal, recurring ice age accuracy required by normal tunnel con- amounts of research materials for reg- stages, covering the rock by up to two struction. For example, it was enough ulators/authorities for evaluation, in kilometre sheet of ice, must be taken that fractured zones were recognised the compilation of which Posiva has into account. as excavation in a mine or other under- also utilised the wide-ranging exper- – In the final analysis, these kinds ground space proceeded. When it comes tise of GTK. What is unique about this of details belong to the construction to safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel in project that has lasted decades is that it project designers, but we have to take bedrock a much more comprehensive combines scientific research looking for them into account in our work, which understanding of fracturing is needed.

Geofoorumi 2/2016 17 Seppo Paulamäki and Markku Paananen have studied safe disposal since the 1980s. Modern 3D modelling is an essential tool when looking to get as reliable research results as possible.

This has required best geological and 3D models and modern With humbleness typical of experi- geophysical research competence. research methods produce enced geophysicist, Paananen also em- – Geophysical methods have played as accurate data as possible phasizes the intuition of researchers in an essential part when studying the ge- a situation when a conclusion must be ological preconditions of the candidate In 2000s, research methods and drawn based on partly incomplete facts. sites in increasingly detailed manner, modelling techniques have taken great – Modern research methods and says geophysicist Markku Paananen, strides. 3D models produce accurate data and Senior Scientist for GTK. – Earlier, you needed to make con- explicit interpretations. Nevertheless, More “general” rock study does not clusions on the geology of bedrock when studying very small details, such necessarily reveal at required accuracy largely based on what you could see on as individual fractures and their contin- the small physical differences, which the outcrops. In this sense, it is a huge uations, it always feels that the conclu- may play a decisive part for disposal of step to be able to study bedrock as a sions must be done with rather limited nuclear waste. For example, thermal three-dimensional whole in ONKALO, amount of data, says Paulamäki. conductivity of the rock is an extreme- the underground rock characterisation Extensive interdisciplinary research ly important property when evaluating facility in Olkiluoto, instead of relying has provided the means to define the and calculating how close to each other solely on limited number of drillholes, rock area suitable for disposal. 3D mod- disposal canisters producing decay heat says Seppo Paulamäki, Geologist for elling has been an essential tool in this can be placed. GTK, who like Markku Paananen has work. worked in the disposal project for more than 29 years.

In the mid-1980s, the disposal project was at a stage dur- From 101 ing which GTK’s researchers compared the suitability of 101 potential disposal locations. From among these, Teollisuuden Voima selected five areas for preliminary disposal site studies potential disposal in 1987. Starting from 1993, detailed site studies were continued locations to 1 in three areas. After the new Nuclear Energy Act prohibited the export of spent nuclear fuel, Posiva Oy begun studies also in Loviisa site. In 1999, Posiva made the decision to propose Olkiluoto as the disposal site of high-level nuclear waste.

18 Geofoorumi 2/2016 CURRENT RESEARCH

Uusia julkaisuja

New publications

Ground penetrating radar and assessment of natural stone Luodes, Hannu 2015. Report of Investigation, vol. 223. http://tupa.gtk.fi/julkaisu/tutkimusraportti/tr_223.pdf

14th Natural Analogue Working Group Workshop (NAWG14), Olkiluoto 9–11 June 2015, Abstract Book. Alexander, W. Russell, Reijonen, Heini, Ruskeeniemi, Timo (eds) 2015. Guide, vol. 61. http://tupa.gtk.fi/julkaisu/opas/op_061.pdf

Komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in Finland: Their characterization, PGE content, and petrogenesis Konnunaho, J. 2016 Special Publications, vol. 92. http://tupa.gtk.fi/julkaisu/erikoisjulkaisu/ej_092.pdf

Geophysical signatures of mineral deposit types in Finland Airo, Meri-Liisa 2015. Special Paper, vol. 58. http://tupa.gtk.fi/julkaisu/specialpaper/sp_058.pdf

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FINLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FINLAND Guide 61 Report of Investigation 223 2015 2015

Abstract Book Ground penetrating radar and assessment of natural stone 14th Natural Analogue Working Group Workshop (NAWG14), Olkiluoto 9-11 June 2015

W. Russell Alexander, Heini Reijonen and Timo Ruskeeniemi (eds) Hannu Luodes

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FINLAND Komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in Finland: Their Special Paper 58 characterization, PGE content, and petrogenesis 2015

Jukka Konnunaho ROVANIEMI

Kivilompolo

Kivimaa

Vähäjoki TERVOLA

mallikuva; Liakka kuva-alan koko voi vaihdella Sompujärvi TORNIO

Academic Dissertation Geophysical signatures of mineral deposit types in Finland

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FINLAND Espoo 2016 Edited by Meri-Liisa Airo

Geofoorumi 2/2016 19 New Geological Map of Finland – Bedrock 1 : 1,000,000 hakku.gtk.fi

Geological Survey of Finland Espoo • Kokkola • Kuopio • Loppi • Outokumpu • Rovaniemi gtk.fi • Tel. +358 29 503 0000 • Business ID: 0244680-7 gtk.fi