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
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
July 2020: Pisa reservation granted
September 2020: Peräpohja mapping program
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
April 2021: Meetings with municipal leaders in western Lapland
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
November 2021: Peuranpalo North, Peuranpalo East, Peuranpalo South, Vähäjoki and Salaneuvos exploration license applications in Tervola submitted to Tukes.
February 2022: Community meeting in Pelkosenniemi
February 2022: Ground geophysical surveys in Tervola
February 2022: Diamond drilling in Reposelkä exploration license areas
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
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.
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