1887

Abstract

Summary

The historic Løkken Cu-Zn pyrite mine in Central Norway, active from 1654 to 1987, left behind substantial tailings now being reassessed for their secondary resource potential. As part of a national initiative aligned with EU Critical Raw Materials strategies, the Geological Survey of Norway conducted geophysical surveys in 2023–2024 at the main landfill site using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). ERT, a well-established method for characterizing conductive tailings, proved highly effective in delineating tailings distribution and estimating volume, particularly in the southern portion of the landfill where newer deposits showed low resistivities (<10 Ωm). High-resolution profiling and 2.5D inversion modeling indicated tailings thicknesses of up to 8 meters and an estimated volume of ∼3,160 m3 of conductive material. Although borehole data provided valuable ground truth, no consistent correlation was observed between resistivity and Cu/Zn concentrations. GPR added limited structural detail due to conductive surface layers but aided lateral interpretation through depth slicing. While the methods used are established, the study underscores the importance of optimized, denser ERT profiling to improve spatial coverage and enable the construction of full 3D resistivity models - critical for accurate volume estimation and improved characterization in legacy mine waste assessments.

© EAGE Publications BV
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520018
2025-09-07
2026-02-06

  • From This Site

    /content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520018
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Brøndbo, K. [1997] Tungmetallforurensning til Orkla elv. Løkken grube 1654-1996. Bergvesenet report4768.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Dahlin, T. [1993] On the Automation of 2D Resistivity Surveying for Engineering and Environmental Applications. Dr. Thesis, Department of Engineering Geology, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Gabarrón, M., Martínez-Pagán, P., Martínez-Segura, M. A., Bueso, M. C., Martínez-Martínez, S., Faz, Á., & Acosta, J. A. [2020] Electrical Resistivity Tomography as a Support Tool for Physicochemical Properties Assessment of Near-Surface Waste Materials in a Mining Tailing Pond (El Gorguel, SE Spain). Minerals, 10(6), 559.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Ibraheem, I., Tezkan, B., & Bergers, R. (2021). Integrated Interpretation of Magnetic and ERT Data to Characterize a Landfill in the North-West of Cologne, Germany. Pure Appl. Geophys., 178, 2127–2148.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Kim, J. [2009] DC2DPro - 2D Interpretation System of DC Resistivity Tomography. User's Manual and Theory. KIGAM, South Korea.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Kim, J., & Yi, M. J. [2010] DC3DPro - 3D Geoelectrical Modelling and Inversion, User's Manual. S. Korea: KIGAM.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Sensors, & Software. [2018] EKKO_Project User's Guide. Mississauga, Canada: Sensors & Software Inc.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Vokes, F. M. [1995] Geological factors influencing the utilization of the Løkken Cu-Zn-Fe-S deposit, Meldal. Foredrag v/ekskursjon til Løkken og Orkdal 16 september 1995. Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskabs Forhandlinger;179–190.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Yannah, M., Martens, K., Van Camp, M., & Walraevens, K. [2017] Geophysical exploration of an old dumpsite in the perspective of enhanced landfill mining in Kermt area, Belgium. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment (78), 1–13.
     [Google Scholar]
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520018
Loading
Geophysical Investigation of Tailings Deposits at Løkken Landfill, Central Norway, Using ERT and GPR
Conference Proceedings 2025, 1 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202520018
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520018
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520018
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error