Annual Report 2006
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Mineral resources |
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Mapping and evaluation
of resources
Detailed geological maps are an important tool for mining companies in their exploration activities. During the summer of 2006, GEUS continued the detailed, 1:100 000 scale mapping of Greenland, concentrated in areas where mineral resources interests are greatest. Also in 2006, geologists mapped areas around Kapisillit at the bottom of the Godthåb Fjord. Several maps were published during the course of the year. These include a geological map of north Ikamiut ('Ikamiut, 68 V.1 Nord') in the scale of 1:100 000, and a thematic map of geological profiles of the basalts on the Nuussuaq peninsula in West Greenland as well as a description for the Thule map sheet from North Greenland in the nationwide map sheet series in the scale 1:500 000. Concurrently with the mapping, ore geologists completed an evaluation of resources in the southern part of West Greenland. This means careful processing of the results of all company activities in the area and special, targeted field studies. In particular, the geologists had their eyes on the so-called Pre-cambrian supracrustal rocks, as these rocks are typical host rocks for gold and nickel mineralisations. With financial support from the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum, three such geological environments in the Nuuk-area were examined in detail. General studies of geological environments in Greenland and their mineral deposits were continued in 2006. Finally, ore geologists followed up on last year's discovery of a new carbonatite deposit in the Nuuk region. Studies showed that this deposit is rich in the mineral apatite, which, amongst other things, is used in artificial fertilisers, and that it contains zones enriched with rare minerals. |
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Mineral deposits in 3-D
In 2004, Greenland's first gold mine opened in Nalunaq in South Greenland, and the year after the Seqi olivine mine opened near Nuuk in West Greenland. A good three-dimensional image of mineral deposits is an important tool to under standing minerals' formation, or for monitoring the progress of a mining activity and assessing how the deposit may be emptied. Here, society has an obvious interest that it should pursue. In practice, geologists only have sporadic information about the distribution of mineral occurrences from boreholes in the rock or from observations on the surface or in mine tunnels. With the help of computer calculations, GEUS is working together with the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum on the construction of three-dimensional models of the mineral deposits currently being mined. In 2006, work concentrated on creating 3-D models of the deposits in the Nalunaq and Seqi mines in Greenland. A model for the as yet unexploited zinc deposit at the Citronen Fjord in North Greenland is also under way. Experience from constructing 3-D models is important for supervision tasks and mineral research in Greenland and can also be applied when e.g. extracting gravel and sand in Denmark and assessing the impact on the landscape. |
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Sustainable exploitation
of raw materials in Denmark
Denmark is self-sufficient in raw materials for build ing and construction projects and also has some production of industrial minerals and other products based on these. There is an increasing need for raw materials exploitation that takes account of other interests of nature and society. Denmark's large consumption of raw materials for construction is mainly covered through the production of land-based resources, and less so by marine resources. As a part of the development of sustainable raw materials exploitation, in 2006 GEUS carried out a pilot project in Storstroem County in collaboration with the Forest and Nature Agency. This project engaged in the coordination of raw ma terials extraction at sea and on land, a coordination which does not exist today, and prepared a statement of the volume and quality of the resources on the basis of existing knowledge. The work led to a recommendation of more long-term mapping of the resources in future. |
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Increased diamond potential
in Greenland
An increasing number of diamond discoveries are being reported in Greenland and, in January 2007, the company Hudson Resources Inc. announced the discovery of a 2.4 carat diamond, the largest found in Greenland so far. In recent years, GEUS has followed up on the work of diamond exploration companies with scientific surveys of the diamondbearing kimberlite rocks in Greenland. 2006 concentrated on surveys in the diamond area at Maniitsoq in West Greenland, where several new kimberlite sheets with diamond potential were discovered, and the area of interest was enlarged. The field season also offered surprises, as one of GEUS' field groups stumbled upon a new discovery of loose kimberlite boulders during their surveys, near a large nunatak in the ice sheet south-east of Nuuk. The source of the boulders is still unknown, since no fixed kimberlite has been seen in the area. This surprising discovery opens a whole new area for diamond exploration, since there have been no kimberlite findings in this part of Greenland previously. Finally, in 2006 GEUS published a report that presents the discoveries of indicator minerals for kimberlite and two micro diamonds in former river beds on the eastern part of Disko in West Greenland. A licence has been taken out for the area and a company is planning to test the potential. |
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Increasing interest
in Greenland's minerals
For many years, GEUS has collaborated with Greenland's Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum on marketing Greenland's mineral resources. In addition to preparation of information material on the basis of the companies and GEUS' own efforts, Greenland's mineral potential is being marketed at presentations at annual industry exhibitions in Canada. Here, investors and the mining industry meet to visit exhibitions by participating countries and companies in order to evaluate the potential for investments in the exploration and mining sector. During the important 2006 mineral resources exhibitions in Vancouver and Toronto with up to 15,000 visitors, the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum and GEUS perceived an increased interest in the potential for mineral resources exploration and mining in Greenland, even when considering the generally increasing trend at global level. It was confirmed that, following the many years of marketing efforts, Greenland now has a clearly understood position in the consciousness of the international exploration and mining industry. Many companies are already planning drilling programmes in their licence areas in Greenland, and several have applied for new licences; and even more companies may join the queue. In 2006, GEUS saw an increase in the number of requests from industry for data, maps and knowledge, and many companies have visited GEUS to acquire further geological insight into Greenland's great potential. |
