Our Operations 2


About exploration

Exploration is the search for new metals. It is done by geologists, who use a variety of tools, including airborne and ground geophysical surveys, rock, moraine and soil sampling, and drilling to explore under the surface.

Copper and nickel are increasingly important for batteries in electric vehicles, and the construction of renewable energy sources that will help nations power the future in an environmentally responsible manner.

The exploration process

The process of exploration can be lengthy, carrying a low chance of success. The process of exploring, finding and permitting a metals project may take over 20 years as few projects pass the necessary tests required to turn into a sustainable operation. Throughout the stages of exploration and development of a project, strict community and environmental guidelines are in place.

Companies begin exploration by obtaining a ‘reservation license’ permitting them to undertake reconnaissance work. This includes making geological maps and taking rock samples. When a prospective area has been identified, an exploration license may be submitted.

Exploration licenses permit more detailed exploration work, including detailed sampling and diamond drilling. Drilling is used to collect a rock sample from beneath the surface to assess a prospective area. Then, geologists can make models of the subsurface and determine if it is likely that higher metal concentrations exist. Exploration licenses usually contain several targets, of which only the best are drill tested.

The below image details the exploration process (Image taken from the tukes website).

PROJECT PROGRESS TIMELINES

EASTERN LAPLAND:

November 2019: Lunkkaus and Savukoski reservations granted

January 2020: Community meetings in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski

Summer 2020: Field program, including drone magnetic survey in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski

November 2020: Käyläselkä reservation granted

December 2020: Reposelkä 1, Reposelkä 2, Reposelkä 3, Mukkavaara 1 and Mukkavaara 2 exploration license applications in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski submitted to Tukes.

February 2021: Community meetings in Savukoski, Pelkosenniemi, Salla and Kemijärvi

May 2021: Exploration licenses Reposelkä 1, Reposelkä 2, Reposelkä 3, Mukkavaara 1 and Mukkavaara 2 granted by Tukes

June 2021: Geological mapping program in Pelkosenniemi and Peräpohja

June 2021: Community meetings in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski

August 2021: Geophysical surveys in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski

September 2021: Lunkkaus and Savukoski reservations expire

September 2021: Pyytövaara, Rahkavaara, Sadinvaara 1, Siulionpalo, Murtoselkä, Reposelkä 4, Reposelkä 5 and Reposelkä 6 exploration licence applications in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski submitted to Tukes.

October 2021: Ground geophysical surveys in Reposelkä exploration license areas

November 2021: Percussion drilling in Reposelkä exploration license areas

February 2022: Community meeting in Pelkosenniemi

February 2022: Diamond drilling in Reposelkä exploration license areas

October 2022: Exploration licences Reposelkä 4 and Sadinvaara 1 granted by Tukes

October 2022: Diamond drilling in Mukkavaara exploration licence area in Savukoski

November 2022: Diamond drilling in Mukkavaara exploration licence area in Savukoski

December 2022: Diamond drilling in Mukkavaara, Savukoski and Reposelkä, Pelkosenniemi exploration licence areas

January 2023: Diamond drilling in Reposelkä exploration licence area in Pelkosenniemi.

May 2023: Submittal of Pyytövaara 2 exploration licence in Savukoski.

June 2023: Full relinquishment on Reposelkä 1, Reposelkä 2, Reposelkä 3, Reposelkä 4 and Mukkavaara 1 exploration licence permit areas. Partial relinquishment on Mukkavaara 2 exploration licence permit area. Cancellation on Reposelkä 5 and Reposelkä 6 exploration licence application areas.

July 2023: Geological mapping program in Mukkavaara 2, Pyytövaara and Pyytövaara 2 exploration licences

October 2023: Community meetings in Pelkosenniemi and Savukoski.

December 2023: Exploration licences Pyytövaara, Pyytövaara 2 and Rahkavaara granted by Tukes.

CENTRAL LAPLAND:

ISOPALO (MJ7) Partner project with Magnus Minerals
Magnus Minerals contact person: Juho Haverinen +358 46 632 0130

https://www.magnusminerals.fi 

January 2021 – Agreement signed with Magnus Minerals

January 2021 – Ground geophysical surveys in Isopalo exploration license

July 2021 – Isopalo exploration license granted by tukes

January 2022 – Community meeting in Sattanen

January 2022 – 3 week diamond drilling program in in Isopalo exploration license

February 2022 – Ground geophysical surveys in Isopalo exploration license

July 2022 – Drone magnetic survey in Isopalo exploration license

February 2023 – 6 week diamond drilling program in Isopalo exploration license

July 2023 – Ground geophysical surveys in Isopalo exploration license

July 2023: Geological mapping in Isopalo exploration license 

September 2023 – Meeting for landowners in Sattanen.

November 2023 – Community meeting in Sattanen.

January 2024 – Diamond drilling project until 15th of April

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MJ1-MJ2, Partner project with Magstar Mining
Magstar Mining contact person: Juho Haverinen +358 46 632 0130
https://magstarmining.fi

January 2022 – Agreement signed with Magstar Mining 

July 2022: Ground geophysical surveys in Maaninkijoki 1 and 2 exploration licenses

July 2022: Maaninkijoki 2 exploration license granted by tukes

August 2022: Drone magnetic survey in Maaninkijoki 1 and 2

August 2022: Geological mapping in Maaninkijoki 1 and 2

November 2022: Maaninkijoki 1 exploration license granted by Tukes

January 2022: Ground geophysical surveys in Maaninkijoki 1

July 2023: Geophysical surveys in Maaninkijoki 1 and Maaninkijoki 2

August 2023: Geological mapping in Maaninkijoki 1 and Maaninkijoki  2

November 2023 : Open Community meeting in Sattanen.

January 2024 : Diamond drilling project in Maaninkijoki 1 –exploration licence area

WEST LAPLAND:

July 2020: Pisa reservation granted

September 2020: Peräpohja mapping program

April 2021: Meetings with municipal leaders in western Lapland

November 2021: Peuranpalo North, Peuranpalo East, Peuranpalo South, Vähäjoki and Salaneuvos exploration license applications in Tervola submitted to Tukes.

February 2022: Ground geophysical surveys in Tervola

May 2022: Community meeting in Tervola

June 2022: Geological mapping program in Tervola

June 2022: Drone magnetic survey in Tervola

September 2022: Exploration licence applications Vähäjoki and Salaneuvos retracted

May 2023: Community meeting in Tervola

May 2023: Geological mapping and sampling program in Peuranpalo East, West and North exploration licenses.