The 6th edition of the Applied Field Exploration course comprised 3 geophycisists from Boliden and 20 students from Luleå University of Technology, University of Miskolc, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, as part of the TIMREX programme.

After 3 days of mapping, the students have already mapped out several structures, stratigraphic units and alteration zones of interest for VMS exploration. The field mapping exercises have been interleaved with talks by Johannes Holzäpfel and Dave Maher of EMX Royalty Corporation and Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) of Scott Geological AB touching various aspects of entrepreneurship and drivers in the mineral exploration industry.

The most promising target was tested with a geophysical survey, and on Friday the team headed to Boliden for a drill core logging exercise and talks by Mac Fjellerad Persson and Tobias Hermansson.

Testimonials

Rayhan Aldizan Farrenzo

“”These past few days were nothing but a wonderful experience. Getting a new mindset to become a better exploration geologist, and basically starting from zero again because you basically don’t know anything, which is a good thing to start with. Nevertheless, huge thanks to Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer with the help of TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration for the meticulously curated one week summer school, mainly about VMS Deposits. Not only about VMS Deposits, we also get the insightful lectures about mineral exploration industry. Starting from talks about Junior Exploration Company from the distinguished EMX Royalty Corporation representations, Johannes Holzäpfel and Dave Maher. Continued by the motivational career talk by Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) on entrepreneurial geology and most importantly to be a “full-package geologist” that can work under many different hats. Our last day for the summer school ends with a trip to Boliden, where we got to see the humongous drill core archive facilities and also to hear the successful Rävliden exploration story by Mac Fjellerad Persson and some explanation about core logs and it’s connection with the VMS Models. Lastly, we got a very interesting lecture about Exploration Geology and AI by Tobias Hermansson, and what could be the future for exploration geology. I’m very lucky to have such an experience.””

Nchimenyi Sobse

“Celebrating the success of our VMS field exploration course in Skeleftea!

I am thrilled to have participated in a VMS field exploration course in the breathtaking skelleftea District in northern Sweden.

Hands-On fieldwork:
I gained invaluable experience, mapping and understanding the role of Insitu hyaloclastites and metasediments to proximity of the massive sulfides.

Witnessed first hand and
logged the drill cores from this area at the Boliden core facility.

Understood the process of mapping structures using high resolution photogammetric images of outcrops, alteration and facies mapping.

Networking:
Connections were forged, creating a vibrant community of like minded professionals through presentations from Johannes Holzäpfel of EMX Royalty Corporation , Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) of Scott Geological AB.

At Boliden we received wonderful lectures from Mac Fjellerad Persson on VMS deposits in the skelleftea District and Tobias Hermansson on research and development at BOLIDEN.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication and enthusiasm of our field professors Nils F Jansson, Tobias Bauer and a host of professionals from Boliden for their resounding lessons and contribution which made it a success.

To the wonderful TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration students from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology , Luleå University of Technology , University of Miskolc and University of Zagreb it was a memorable experience working as a team.“

Gebreselassie Gebremedhin

“Last week, I had a valuable practical experience studying Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposits in the field. The fieldwork took place in the Skellefteå district of Northern Sweden, one of the major ore-producing regions. The exposure to field mapping exercises and attending lectures on professional and entrepreneurial insights was enriching. Exploring the formation processes of VMS deposits, practicing structural measurements, alteration and lithological facies description (i.e., metavolcanics and metasediments), geophysical survey (i.e., magnetic-to detect possible anomalies) followed by attending lectures on data interpretation presented by geophysicists from Boliden, and a visit to Boliden for drill core logging, along with lectures were wonderful experiences.

Many thanks to the course and field leaders, Prof. Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer of Luleå University of Technology, for their lectures, field guidance and sharing of profound knowledge and skills. Special thanks to Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) of Scott Geological AB, and Johannes Holzäpfel from EMX Royalty Corporation for their invaluable professional and entrepreneurial advice. Gratitude also extends to Mac Fjellerad Persson of Boliden for his insightful lectures on the history of VMS in Skellefteå, exploration development, and reconstruction of the VMS forming geological process based on drill core interpretation. Appreciation continues to Tobias Hermansson of Boliden for his enlightening lectures on exploration research, development of exploration techniques, and professional advice.

To my dear colleagues from TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration and beyond, it was a pleasure being part of the fieldwork with you. I appreciate the teamwork and have learned a lot from you. I look forward to continued collaboration in the green energy and sustainable development journey. Cheers to all!

A big thank you to the organizing team and everyone who contributed to this memorable experience.”

Samuel Ayipa Arthur

” I am excited to share my incredible experience at the TIMREX Summer School, where I participated in the Applied Field Exploration course at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, organized by Professors Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer. Held from June 10th to 14th, this immersive program provided a unique, field-based mineral exploration experience, blending innovative techniques with hands-on practice.

Alongside 20 skilled student geologists from University of Miskolc, Luleå University of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and the University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, we tackled the challenge of rediscovering a blind VMS deposit in the Skellefte district. Utilizing various mapping techniques and magnetic geophysical surveys, we also honed our drill core logging skills at Boliden. This course, part of the EIT RawMaterials labelled TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration, was truly educative and transformative.

Appreciations to hashtag#Johannes hashtag#Holzäpfel (EMX Royalty Corporation), and Amanda Scott (BSc Geology, FAusIMM) (Scott Geological AB) for their insightful talks on entrepreneurship and industry drivers. The knowledge and skills gained are invaluable for my future in mineral exploration and mining.

Special thanks also to Mac Fjellerad Persson for his presentation on VMS deposits discovery case story in the Skelleftea District and Tobias Hermansson for his discussion on research and development at Boliden.

I am deeply grateful to our lecturers and coordinators from Luleå University of Technology, Prof. Nils F Jansson and Prof. Tobias Bauer, as well as the TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration for organizing the Summer School Field Program.

I look forward to applying these learnings and continuing this exciting journey!”

Joshua Boye

“Exciting News!

I am thrilled to share that I recently participated in the 2024 TIMREX field Exploration Summer School!

The summer school is part of an applied Field Exploration course at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, organized by Prof. Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer.This course form part of the EIT RawMaterials labelled TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration program .The Summer school was held from 10th to 14th of June 2024 in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden, a significant district with VMS ore deposits.

This one week intensive program was an incredible experience for me . It dived deep into the Geological and geophysical field mapping of Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide(VMS) deposits, gaining cutting-edge hands-on practical experience on structural, alteration, and lithological facies mapping in a typical VMS setting.

Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to:
Attend immersive lectures led by industry experts with diverse technical and entrepreneurial skills in mining and exploration.
Collaborate on field geological and geophysical mapping exercises with brilliant and talented peers from various Timrex partner universities.
Explore new perspectives and approaches in
Geological field mapping, Drill Core logging, and geophysical survey techniques applicable to VMS exploration and mining.
Develop critical soft skills that I am excited to apply in my career.

Many thanks to Prof. Nils F Jansson and Tobias Bauer of Luleå University of Technology (program coordinators and field leaders) for their insightful lectures, hands-on mentoring, and sharing of deep knowledge and skills in exploration and mining with us.I am also grateful to Amanda Scott of Scott Geological AB, and hashtag#Johannes hashtag#Holzäpfel from EMX Royalty Corporation for their industrial and entrepreneurial advice, which will be valuable to my learning and growth. Also, a heart full of gratitude goes to the TIMREX MSc in Mineral Exploration consortium for putting such an astonishing program in place. Finally, many thanks to Mac Fjellerad Persson of Boliden for enlightening us on the VMS deposits discovery case story in the Skelleftea District and Tobias Hermansson for his presentation on Research and Development at Boliden .

This One week experience has really impacted my knowledge of mineral exploration in VMS setting and I look forward to apply this valuable knowledge gained.”