Vectors to Accessible Critical Raw Material Resources in Sedimentary Basins | VECTOR

Distribution of seismic stations during the project in the Spremberg region, Brandenburg.
Distribution of seismic stations during the project in the Spremberg region, Brandenburg. (Map: T. Ryberg, C. Roy)

Europe set out its goals for decarbonization in the EU Green Deal. Achieving these targets will require more responsible use of, and a sharp increase in, the supply of critical raw materials. To meet its demand in raw materials, the EU is currently reliant on imports and is therefore vulnerable to changes in the geopolitical landscape and supply chain interruptions. Complex social, environmental, and technical challenges need to be understood to explore the potential domestic sourcing of metals and minerals in the EU.

In the EU project VECTOR, new passive and sustainable exploration methods are being developed and tested to explore Europe's raw material potential. Passive seismic and magnetotelluric measurements will be carried out in 1) Irish Midlands and 2) Spremberg (Copper Shale). The aim is to map the 3D subsurface structure and research the benefits of these methods for mineral exploration.

 Time Frame

  • 01.06.2022 - 31.05.2025 

Funding

  • EU Horizon
  • UK Research and Innovation 

Personnel

  • Dr. Christian Haberland
  • Prof. Dr. Oliver Ritter
  • Dr. Corinna Roy
  • Dr. Trond Ryberg
  • Dr. Kristina Tietze
  • Dr. Ute Weckmann

Project Website

https://vectorproject.eu

Cooperations

  • Group Eleven, HZDR, TECK, KSL, NUID UCD

Methods & Equipment

  • Passive Seismic
  • Magnetotellurics (MT)
  • Ambient Noise Tomographie
  • 3C Geophone, Trillium Compact

Publications/Results

  • Tietze, K., Ritter, O., Weckmann, U., Platz, A. (2025): Magnetotelluric investigations in the Spremberg area (eastern Germany) - Report on the magnetotelluric data in the project/repository folder: SPREMBERG.2024.
  • Tietze, K., Ritter, O., Weckmann, U., Platz, A. (2024): Magnetotelluric exploration of Zn-Pb mineralization in Stonepark.
    https://doi.org/10.5880/GIPP-MT.202223.1
  • Tietze, K., Platz, A., Ritter, O., Weckmann, U., Surfing the biggest waves – geomagnetic storms boost magnetotelluric data quality at both long and short periods, 26th EM Induction Workshop in Beppu, Japan, 7 to 13 September, 2024
  • Tietze, K., Platz, A., Ritter, O., Weckmann, U., Holdstock, M., Susin, V., Melo, A., Kiyan, D.  3D imaging of critical raw material resources using magnetotellurics, 26th EM Induction Workshop in Beppu, Japan, 7 to 13 September, 2024
  • Roy, C., Wellington, K., Moynihan, C., Ryberg, T., Haberland, C. (2024): VECTOR seismic array in the Irish Midlands. https://doi.org/10.14470/2J8820
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