The Paleoproterozoic Kristineberg mining area, northern Sweden: Results from integrated 3D geophysical and geologic modeling, and implications for targeting ore deposits

Abstract

Abstract The Kristineberg mining area in the western part of the Paleoproterozoic Skellefte Ore District, northern Sweden, is well known for its base-metal and recent gold discoveries. A pilot 3D geologic model has been constructed on a crustal scale, covering an area of 30×30km to depths of 10km. Constrained 3D inverse and forward gravity modeling have been performed to confirm and refine previous modeling along seismic profiles using mainly 2.5D techniques. The 3D inverse gravity modeling was geared to generating isodensity surfaces that enclose regions within the model of anomalous density contrast. The 3D forward gravity modeling was conducted to include faulting and folding systems that are difficult to include in the inversion. The 3D geologic model supports many previous interpretations but also reveals new features of the regional geology that are important for future targeting of base-metal and gold deposits. The margins of a thick granite in the south dip steeply inward, suggesting the possibility of room to accommodate another large base-metal deposit if the granitic rocks are juxtaposed with volcanic rocks at depth. Gravity modeling also suggests the observed Bouguer gravity high within the western metasediments can be explained by a large mafic intrusion that has dioritic to tonalitic composition and no significant magnetic signature. Because mafic-ultramafic intrusions within metasediments can indicate gold, this interpretation suggests the western metasediments have a high gold potential.