Graphite Exploration in North Norway Integrating Various Geophysical and Geological Surveys and its Follow-Up

Graphite is essential for green technologies. Norway has over 70 known occurrences found in four provinces across the country, though only the Skaland mine in Senja is currently operational. Graphite in Norway occurs in metamorphic rocks and is not easily visible at the surface, requiring geophysical exploration methods like electromagnetic (EM), resistivity, self-potential (SP) and induced polarization (IP) surveys.

Airborne surveys in the Vesterålen area began in 1988, with significant mapping under the Minerals in North Norway (MINN) program and a follow-up project with local municipalities during 2011–2019 and recent follow-up in 2024. The graphite-bearing rocks in Lofoten-Vesterålen lie in the Precambrian basement, showing higher-quality graphite in high-grade metamorphic zones. Airborne geophysical survey helped in localizing the survey areas for ground follow-up and drilling. Detailed 3D inversion of HEM data and 2D inversion of ERT data reveal continuous conductive zones extending to more than 100 m depth and aligns with known graphite mineralization. However, drill hole data show that mineralization consists of several bands of graphite zones. The integrated geophysical and geological surveys successfully identify subsurface graphite deposits, validating airborne results with surface observations, trenching and drilling, and confirming the mineralization depth and lateral spread of graphite zones.