Sub-continental lithospheric mantle and crustal structure of Fennoscandian shield mineral systems

• Main Authors: Hill, G., Smirnov, M., Kamm, J., Vozar, J., Kovacikova, S., Mishra, P.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Fennoscandian
• Online Access: https://gfzpublic.gfz-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_5020855

The mineral system concept considers the processes and large-scale controlling structures involved in the generation, emplacement and preservation of mineral deposits, not just the characterisation of individual near surface regions of economic potential. Archean cratonic environments such as the Canadian shield, Gawler Craton - Australia, and the Fennoscandian shield are home to some the world’s largest known mineral reserves typically along their margins. Despite a long history of study, the processes responsible for generation and emplacement of these large mineral rsources remain equivocal, however, what has become clear is that much larger regional scale geophysical imaging of Archean cratons is required to understanding these systems. Sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and crustal architecture which have traditionally been viewed as secondary considerations in understanding the distribution of major mineral deposits have recently been shown through the large scale approach employed in D-REx as fundamental in understanding the larger scale mineral system. Surface geologies and upper crustal structure are often broadly similar in endowed and lesser endowed terranes suggesting the difference in endowment level may result either from: a deeper burial depth of endowment beyond the depth resolution and/or depth of interest of more traditional exploration approaches; or differences in the deeper SCLM and mid-lower crustal evolution of these regions. The D-REx approach has allowed identification of the early earth history and processes responsible for the concentration of metals in the current uppermost crust of the Fennoscandian shield and identified key structural controls at SCLM depths indicative of near surface metal endowment.