Medaro Mining is preparing to begin a new geological exploration programme at its Bastnäs project in Sweden, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) alongside base and precious metals.
The company has appointed McKnight Resources to support execution of the programme, with fieldwork expected to start around 20 March 2026, subject to site conditions.
Multi-commodity exploration focus
The exploration campaign is designed to improve understanding of the project’s potential for rare earth elements, copper, cobalt, gold and other base metals through a combination of fieldwork and analytical studies.
Planned activities include geological mapping, prospecting and sampling, as well as geophysical surveys to identify structures and mineralised zones. Sampling will focus on both historical mine waste and exposed rock formations, with laboratory analysis used to assess geochemical signatures and refine exploration targets.
Ground-based geophysical methods, including magnetic and gravity surveys, will be used to support interpretation of subsurface structures. The results will be integrated into a consolidated geological model to prioritise areas for potential follow-up exploration.
Medaro targets established mining district
The Bastnäs project comprises two exploration licence areas covering a total of around 1,130 hectares. The permits, issued by the Swedish Mining Inspectorate, are valid until February 2029 and cover a range of minerals including rare earth elements, copper, cobalt and gold.
The site is located within the Riddarhyttan–Bastnäs district, a historically active mining region known for copper production and occurrences of rare earth mineralisation. The area is considered prospective for several deposit types, including iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG), volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) and skarn-hosted magnetite-REE systems.
Medaro said the programme will assess both structurally controlled sulphide mineralisation and skarn-hosted REE mineralisation associated with historical workings in the district.
Previous exploration in the wider region has included drilling campaigns and documented occurrences of REE-bearing material, although the company noted that historical data has not been independently verified for the Bastnäs project.
Supporting critical materials supply
Rare earth elements are increasingly important in energy transition technologies, including electric vehicles, wind turbines and battery systems, where they are used in permanent magnets and other components.
Medaro said the aim of the programme is to generate geological and analytical data to support target definition and guide future exploration work.
The company’s activities in Sweden form part of a broader strategy to develop mineral assets linked to energy transition supply chains, alongside projects in Canada.
Illustration: an AI-generated image of the earth revealing its minerals, created by Shutterstock
