Summary
Exploration strategies in Sweden's mining industry have been significantly shaped by commodity prices, technical advancements, and legislative changes over the past 500 years. The study reveals that metal prices, driven by demand from industrialization and green technology, have heavily influenced exploration focus, particularly in the last century. Technical innovations, notably in drilling technology and geophysical methods, have also played a pivotal role, with Swedish contributions being notable. Additionally, evolving mining legislation has impacted private investment and the state's role in exploration. This case study of Falun's Great Copper Mountain provides insights into how these factors interact to drive mineral resource discovery.
Citation
Weihed, P. (2022). How commodity prices and technical development has influenced exploration strategies: a case study from Sweden. Mineral Economics, 35(3-4), 409–427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13563-022-00299-2