The Zimbabwe Craton comprises a typical Archean TTG (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite)-greenstone terrain. In this study we contribute with geochronological results from the Manica Greenstone Belt in Mozambique. The Manica Group constitutes the eastern extension of the Odzi-Mutare-Manica Greenstone Belt and comprises the Macequece Formation dominated by komatiitic rocks in its lower part and the sedimentary dominated M'Beza-Vengo Formation on top. U–Pb zircon data from this study yield crystallization ages between ca. 2.91 and ca. 2.94 Ga, reflecting two distinct magmatic episodes: (1) the intrusion of mafic dykes and granitoids into older komatiitic rocks, and (2) the emplacement of a rhyolitic volcanic unit within the Macequece Formation. These results indicate that the upper, more evolved mafic to felsic units of the formation were formed over a relatively short time interval during the late Archean. In contrast, the underlying komatiitic sequences currently lack precise age constraints. Overall, the data suggests that a major magmatic phase occurred around ca. 2.93 Ga, representing a significant stage in the development of the Macequece Formation. Based on these ages the Macequece Formation belongs to the 3.0–2.8 Ga Lower Greenstones of the Bulawayan Supergroup. However, similar ca. 2.9 Ga greenstone units are rare within the Zimbabwe Craton and in most cases lack significant amounts of komatiite rocks. A major unconformity is indicated by a ca. 170 Ma time gap between the Macequece Formation and the overlying M'Beza-Vengo Formation, suggesting the absence of stratigraphy intervals common in other greenstone belts within the Bulawayan Supergroup. The lower intercept ages between ca. 578 and ca. 856 Ma indicated that the Manica Group and surrounding TTG basement were affected by Neoproterozoic tectono-thermal events. The age of ca. 578 Ma is consistent with overprinting related to the Pan-African orogeny, while the older ages of 704–846 Ma coincide with bimodal magmatism associated with the Rodinia breakup. In particular, they also correlate well with the newly recognized 724–712 Ma Mutare-Fingeren Large Igneous Province, which affected the eastern Kalahari Craton. 

The Manica greenstones belt in western Mozambique constitutes the eastern extension of the Odzi-Mutare greenstone belt in Zimbabwe that is one of several Archean greenstone belts within the Zimbabwe Craton. These greenstones are in Mozambique constituting the Manica Group and are subdivided in two main lithostratigraphic units: The Macequece Formation and the Vengo Formation. The former is hosting the Mundonguara Cu-Au mine and is dominated by volcanic rocks, while the younger Vengo Formation is consisting of epiclastic sedimentary rocks. This paper considers the character and origin of the ultramafic, mafic, and felsic rocks within the Macequece Formation. They include peridotitic komatiite, pyroxenitic komatiite, komatiitic cumulate rocks, gabbroic dykes, rhyolitic units, and a granitic rock intruding the komatiites. Samples of these rocks have been collected from outcrops and drill cores and are investigated through petrographic studies of thin sections and whole rock geochemistry including major and trace elements to interpret the geological environment and tectonic setting.The supracrustal rocks are metamorphosed to greenschist facies and the komatiites consists of varying proportions of serpentine, talc, chlorite, and amphibole. Primary features are partly preserved, with spinifex, vesicular, and cumulate textures. The komatiites are variously affected by carbonate alteration and deformation and the rhyolitic rocks are mostly strongly silicified. The komatiites are of the Al-undepleted type, with a MgO content of 25–45 wt %, while the mafic intrusions are tholeiitic in character, varying from gabbronorite to diorite in composition. Trace element diagrams used for interpretation of tectonic setting gives ambiguous results that could be an effect of crustal contamination of the ultramafic and mafic magmas. Using diagrams less sensitive to crustal contamination suggests the mafic and ultramafic magma to have a mantle source Minor rhyolitic rocks are chemically similar to granitic rocks intruding the komatiites and might have a mainly crustal magma source. This suggested that the Manica greenstones belt formed from magmas generated by mantle plume activity in a continental rift setting and were deposited on older Archean continental crust. These rocks are tentatively correlated with the Bends or Brookland formations belonging to the 2.9–2.8 Ga Mtshingwe Group in the Belingwe greenstone belts in Zimbabwe.

Mineral carbonation in reactive bedrock offers a rapid and permanent method for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, converting CO2 into stable mineral phases within a geologically short timeframe. This study presents the first-ever systematic assessment of onshore CO2 mineral storage potential in Sweden, based on fieldwork, sampling, and mineralogical and geochemical analyses conducted at 23 localities. While this theoretical assessment cannot resolve uncertainties related to reactivity, dissolution capacity, and sequestration efficiency, it provides a critical foundation for identifying potentially favorable storage reservoirs. The findings highlight the Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall areas in central Sweden, hosting a gabbro-anorthosite complex together with a set of dolerites, as the more suitable lithologies for onshore CO2 storage. These rocks are distinguished by their high content of reactive minerals—including olivine, Ca-rich plagioclase, and clinopyroxene—and low content of alteration phases. In the few locations where secondary phases such as serpentine and chlorite were observed, they were confined to grain boundaries and microfractures and did not appear to be pervasive throughout the rock. This preservation of primary mineralogy and textures supports the interpretation that these two lithologies are among the most suitable for CO2 mineral storage within the studied rock formations, under geochemical and thermal conditions favorable for mineral carbonation. This work provides the necessary foundation for future and ongoing experimental validation of reactivity and permeability and detailed site-specific investigations.

The Rävliden North volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, in northern Sweden underwent polyphase deformation and greenschist to lower amphibolite facies metamorphism during the Svecokarelian orogeny. This caused remobilisation and recrystallisation of ore minerals, whose composition was analysed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite chemistry mirrors zonation of undeformed VMS deposits. Chalcopyrite-rich mineralisation contains higher Cu, Co, In, and lower Mn concentrations than sphalerite-rich mineralisation. Besides galena, Ag occurs in sulfosalts, tellurides, antimonides, and amalgams, which possibly formed through exsolutions from α-galena in syn- to post-tectonic structures. LA-ICP-MS imaging shows Ag-rich minerals in early syngenetic pyrite, in contrast to syn-metamorphic pyrite, indicating remobilisation during deformation. Despite sampling effects accounted for through linear mixed effects (LME) modelling, the results indicate that syn-metamorphic recrystallisation and remobilisation did not lead to substantial compositional changes in ore minerals. Instead, these processes partitioned Ga between sphalerite and chalcopyrite and enriched Ag, Cd, and Sb in minerals associated with younger parageneses. Zeolite-bearing veins in the hanging wall host sphalerite with the highest Ga, Ge, Cu, and Sb contents and galena with the lowest Bi, Te, and Tl contents. An origin potentially linked to far-field effects of the opening of the Iapetus Ocean or waning Timanian orogeny is discussed based on similarities to other vein- and breccia-hosted Zn Pb deposits in Northern Sweden. This study provides the first multiple-mineral in-situ trace element dataset for a VMS deposit in the Skellefte district, enhances understanding of element redistribution during metamorphism, and identifies remobilised elements potentially vectoring mineralisation at depth. Moreover, this study enables tracing of penalty and by-product elements in downstream beneficiation processes.

This study explores the integration of data fusion using machine learning methods for ore tracking frommine to mill, with the goal of developing predictive geometallurgical models. Conducted at BolidenMineral AB's Garpenberg Zn-Pb-Ag-(Cu-Au) mine in Sweden, the research utilizes extensive geological,operational, and legacy data to create a foundation for a digital twin geometallurgical model for theprocessing plant. By combining 3D geological data with mining and plant operational data, the projectaims to enhance the understanding of ore variability and its impact on processing performance. Thisapproach not only seeks to improve efficiency and reduce variability in production but also providesvaluable insights for more accurate prediction and simulation models in geometallurgy. The outcomesof this research could contribute significantly to the future of data-driven mine planning for optimizedperformance.

By-product metals have a significant potential to bring additional economic benefits to mines. However, a detailed characterization of their distribution is generally required to fulfill this potential and should preferably be integrated into a geometallurgical assessment. This contribution presents a detailed mineralogical and textural investigation of gold-bearing phases at the footwall of the Zn–Pb–Ag–(Cu–Au) Lappberget Deposit, Garpenberg Mine, Sweden, using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICPMS), and bulk chemical analysis applied to drill core and Knelson concentrator samples. Gold is a by-product at the Garpenberg mine, but it is unclear how the mineralogy, occurrence, and distribution of gold-bearing phases impact on gold recoveries during mineral processing. Our results show that Au-dominant electrum is the most abundant gold-bearing phase in the footwall of the Lappberget deposit, occurring strongly associated to sulfides in a variety of textures and grain sizes. Electrum grains commonly occur within sulfide borders, as inclusions, intergrowth and overgrowths of chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and pyrrhotite. Gangue minerals may also contain disseminated electrum and inclusions. Electrum grain sizes range from ∼5 µm to 300 µm, predominantly below 100 µm. The potential of sulfide lattice-bound invisible gold in the form of solid-solution gold and colloidal gold was also investigated, showing Au depletion within the analyzed sulfide carriers. The analysis of the concentrate samples from the Knelson gravity concentrator showed 584 and 431 ppm of gold content. High degree of liberation is observed among the gold-bearing phases in the concentrate, and gold recovery is highest among fractions coarser than 106 µm mesh. Pyrite and galena are the most abundant minerals in the concentrate samples. The gold-bearing phases were categorized based on its mineralogy, texture, grain size, and association and their influence on gold processing, especially textures and grain size, which implicates its liberation in milling and recovery by the gravity separator.

The Skellefte district in northern Sweden hosts many volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits and is considered one of the most important European mining districts for Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, and Au. The volcanic and sedimentary rocks that the VMS deposits are hosted in were deformed during the Svecokarelian orogeny, with three documented regional deformation phases. These events imparted a distinct attitude and geometry to the deposits, their host succession, and discordant zones of synvolcanic hydrothermal alteration. Few studies have investigated the detailed deformation effects on the sulfide minerals.

In this contribution, we document the structural characteristics and remobilization history of mineralization at the Rävliden North Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag deposit—one of the most important recent discoveries in the district consisting of 8.5 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.01% Cu, 3.45% Zn, 0.53% Pb, 78.60 g/t Ag, and 0.23 g/t Au. At Rävliden, massive to semimassive sphalerite-rich mineralization with lesser pyrrhotite, galena, pyrite, and silver minerals occurs structurally above stringer-type mineralization dominated by chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite. These mineralization types exhibit evidence of deformation and remobilization such as (1) sulfide-alignment parallel to tectonic foliations; (2) rounded wall-rock tectonoclasts in a ductile deformed sulfide matrix (“ball ore” or durchbewegt ore); and (3) sulfides in tension gashes, strain shadows, piercement veins, and late, straight veinlets crosscutting tectonic fabrics. These features are attributed to polyphase deformation during the D1, D2, and D3 events at temperature ranging from 200° to 550°C. Remobilization of sulfides was mostly within the bounds of the main mineralization (i.e., 10–100 m), with few local external occurrences. A combination of solid-state and fluid-assisted remobilization processes are inferred.

Rare brittle veinlets and zeolite-cemented breccias with sphalerite, galena, and silver minerals occur in the stratigraphic hanging wall, where they crosscut all Svecokarelian structures. This mineralization type is highly reminiscent of Phanerozoic low-T vein- and breccia-hosted Pb-Zn deposits of the Lycksele-Storuman area west of Rävliden North, which have been linked to far-field effects associated with the opening of the Iapetus Ocean (0.7–0.5 Ga). We suggest that this Zn-Pb mineralizing event led to the formation of the late sulfide-zeolite veinlets and breccias at Rävliden North, and that elements such as Ag and Sb within this mineralization were locally remobilized from Rävliden.

Trace metal (molybdenum, uranium, vanadium, zinc, and nickel) mass changes are used to investigate secular variations in oceanic redox conditions in the succession of Copacabana (Upper Pennsylvanian-Early Permian) and Chutani (Upper Permian) formations of the Titicaca sub-basin (western Bolivia). These trace metal mass variations display evidence of suboxic depositional conditions, with episodes of oxygenation in the shallow carbonate platform of the Titicaca Basin. These episodes are consistent with the unrestricted renewal of deep waters of the Late Pennsylvanian Midcontinent Sea via lateral advection of oxygen-deficient waters of the western tropical Panthalassic Ocean. Trace metals in the Chutani Formation also attest intermittent suboxic conditions with oxic periods being recorded. These results, compared to other Upper Permian sections worldwide, suggest the idea that shallower platforms had oxygen during the mass extinction events of that period.

This comprehensive study focuses on the geometallurgical characterization of the complex Lappberget polymetallic Zn-Pb-Ag-(Cu-Au) sulfide deposit at the Garpenberg mine, one of Sweden’s largest and most significant sources of zinc, lead, and silver. The research explores the intricate mineralogy and texture of the ore, investigating its impact on the variability of flotation performance for different ore types. QEMSCAN® analysis and element-to-mineral conversion (EMC) were employed to quantitatively characterize the ore in terms of mineral distribution and occurrence. The study revealed significant variability in Cu-Pb flotation compared to Zn flotation due to the targeted mineral varieties. While zinc primarily occurred in sphalerite grains, Cu-Pb flotation aimed to recover multiple Pb-, Cu-, Ag- and Au-bearing minerals that were finely grained and intricately intergrown with other sulfides. Grain size and the degree of liberation emerged as primary rate-limiting factors, especially in the Zn flotation circuit. Seven geometallurgical domains were defined based on the concentration efficiencies (i.e., selectivity and recovery) for sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and Ag-bearing phases. The proposed geometallurgical characterization approach aims to transform geologically defined classes into geometallurgical domains by relating the deposit's key mineralogical and textural characteristics to metallurgical performance.