Within the project Unified Novel Deep ExploRation for Critical Ore discoVERy (UNDERCOVER), www.undercover-project.eu) new methods for characterization of mineral systems and exploration of novel mineral deposits of critical raw materials are developed. Here, the chain from testing of new geophysical measurement instruments through innovative approaches of three-dimensional modelling and inversion of electromagnetic and seismic datasets, following geological interpretation and finally integration into a broader social context, e.g. environmental issues, sustainability criteria and stakeholder demands. The projecto consortium combines 16 partners of five EU member states (Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal) as well as Canada and Namibia.

The tasks of the Leibniz IPHT consist of the preparation and conduction of helicopter-borne electromagnetics measurements in the Kuusamo Schist Belt in Finland as well as the processing and inversion of the measurement data. Here, both natural sources (AFMAG) and controlled source injections of electric currents into the earth (semi-airborne electromagnetics) for generation of sub-surface electrical fields which couple with the electrical conductivities to secondary current systems. These currents excite secondary magnetic fields, which are recorded with highly-sensitive quantum magnetometers from the air. With novel inversion methods, which also include large-scale magnetotellurics data (natural sources) and drone-borne electromagnetics data are as well as constraints from seismic reflectors, a much more accurate and reliable three-dimensional mapping of sub-surface geological structures will be achieved.

The project UNDERCOVER is founded by the European Union (grant no. 101177528) within the framework of the programme “Horizon Europe”.