To implement policies about sustainable landscapes and rural development necessitates social learning about states and trends of sustainability indicators, norms that define sustainability, and adaptive multi-level governance. We evaluate the extent to which social learning at multiple governance levels for sustainable landscapes occur in 18 local development initiatives in the network of Sustainable Bergslagen in Sweden. We mapped activities over time, and interviewed key actors in the network about social learning. While activities resulted in exchange of experiences and some local solutions, a major challenge was to secure systematic social learning and make new knowledge explicit at multiple levels. None of the development initiatives used a systematic approach to secure social learning, and sustainability assessments were not made systematically. We discuss how social learning can be improved, and how a learning network of development initiatives could be realized.
Barriers and bridges to implement policies about sustainable development and sustainability commonly depend on the past development of social–ecological systems. Production of metals required integration of use of ore, streams for energy, and wood for bioenergy and construction, as well as of multiple societal actors. Focusing on the Swedish Bergslagen region as a case study we (1) describe the phases of natural resource use triggered by metallurgy, (2) the location and spatial extent of 22 definitions of Bergslagen divided into four zones as a proxy of cumulative pressure on landscapes, and (3) analyze the consequences for natural capital and society. We found clear gradients in industrial activity, stream alteration, and amount of natural forest from the core to the periphery of Bergslagen. Additionally, the legacy of top-down governance is linked to today’s poorly diversified business sector and thus municipal vulnerability. Comparing the Bergslagen case study with other similar regions in Russia and Germany, we discuss the usefulness of multiple case studies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-012-0369-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Medium-to high-grade metamorphosed, 1.9 Ga, stratiform, syngenetic Zn-Pb ± Ag sulfide deposits constitute an economically important type of ore deposit in the Bergslagen lithotectonic unit of the Fennoscandian Shield. The Lovisa Zn-Pb deposit occurs in a metamorphosed succession of rhyolitic ash-siltstone, rhyolitic mass flow deposits, limestone, and Fe formation, deposited at a stage of waning volcanism in Bergslagen. Accessory graphite, absence of Ce anomalies in shale-normalized rare earth element (REE) data, and absence of hematite in Mn-rich Fe formations stratigraphically below the Lovisa Zn-Pb deposit indicate a suboxic-anoxic depositional environment. The uppermost Mn-rich Fe formation contains disseminated, inferred syngenetic Pb-Ag mineralization with mainly negative δ 34 S values in sphalerite and galena (-6.1 to-1.9‰). Deposition of this Fe formation terminated during a pulse of explosive felsic volcanism. The Lovisa Zn-Pb deposit is interpreted to have formed in an alkali-rich brine pool developed immediately after this volcanic event, based on lithogeochemical and stratigraphic evidence. The first stage of mineralization deposited stratiform sphalerite mineralization with mainly positive δ 34 S values (-0.9 to 4.7‰). This was succeeded by deposition of more sphalerite-galena stratiform mineralization with δ 34 S values close to 0‰ (-2.1 to 1.5‰). The more galena-rich mineralization partitioned strain and was partly remobilized during later ductile deformation. The stratigraphic context, sulfide mineralogy, S isotopes, and alteration geochemistry suggest that the metalliferous fluids and the depositional environment were H2S deficient (S poor or SO 4 2dominant). The source of S is interpreted to have been a mixture of H2S derived from bacterial and thermochemical seawater sulfate reduction and S derived from leaching of volcanic rocks, with the latter becoming more important over time. Lovisa formed in a setting where basin subsidence was periodically punctuated by the deposition of thick, syneruptive felsic volcaniclastic mass flow deposits. Coeval volcanism was likely important for driving hydrothermal activity and supplying a reservoir of metals and S. However, the high rate of deposition of volcaniclastic sediment in Bergslagen also precluded the establishment of long-lived, deep, and anoxic environments favorable for accumulation of organic matter and H2S. This stratigraphic pattern is common in Bergslagen and may explain why large stratiform Zn-Pb deposits are uncommon in the region and restricted to the uppermost part of the metavolcanic succession, directly stratigraphically beneath postvolcanic pelitic rocks.
<p>The X-MINE project (Real-Time Mineral X-Ray Analysis for Efficient and Sustainable Mining), under the Horizon 2020 program (grant agreement no. 730270), combines high-energy XRF sensors, multi-energy XRT sensors and optical sensors to be able to support both drill core analysis and mineral sorting applications, including high speed processing of low-grade ores.</p><p>The aims of the project are: (1) smart exploration, (2) selective (more efficient) drilling and (3) optimal extraction in existing mine operations. The expected effects of project outputs include: reduced quantity of mining waste by a better selection of the ore; reduced consumption of energy, explosives and other chemicals thus less CO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>2</sub> emissions; further critical raw materials acquisition for the EU; better planning of mining operations; increased resource efficiency.</p><p>On the purpose of smart exploration, multi-parameter 3D near-mine ore deposit models were built, under SGU coordination, for 4 mining areas: Lovisagruvan(Sweden), Assarel(Bulgaria), Skouriotissa-Apliki(Cyprus) and Mavres Petres-Piavitsa(Greece).</p><p>The project improves and combines various online sensing technologies, integrates the multi-sensor solution in an online analysis platform and demonstrates the solution in real mining operations. Two prototypes are being developed and demonstrated in the X-MINE project.</p><p>(1) A sensitive transportable X-ray Analyser based on undertaken drill core scanning (GeoCore X10, delivered by Orexplore and further developed within X-Mine project). This performs penetrative combined and integrated XRF-XRT scanning, providing assaying of exploration drill cores and 3D tomographic imaging, that also allows linear and structural&#160;annotations and measures bulk density.</p><p>(2) A complex analyser, developed by X-Mine consortium, integrated in a sorting line by Comex. The multisensory analyser unit uses XRT-XRF based scanners and 3D cameras, platforms, algorithms and software developed by Orexplore, VTT, Advacam, and Antmicro.</p><p>The X-Mine project has reached the phase of pilot demonstration. The prototypes are being tested on various types of mineralisations and rocks from the four operating mines mentioned above. The tests done so far showed that the drill core scanner allows the tomographic observation and structural study of the cores, which could be ore-genetically evaluated and interpreted. Elemental composition is analysed and bulk density is measured for 1 m of core and calculated for segments as short as 8 mm based on estimated mineralogy. The scanning can be done at a speed of 3-4 meters of NQ-size drill core per hour with results available immediately and therefore useful while the drill rig is still on site.</p><p>The development of the new X-MINE sorting application started with laboratory and full-scale tests, and base line studies of previously available dual-energy X-ray technology. A first full-scale initial test at Lovisagruvan indicated that 75% of available size fractions are amenable for sorting, although alternative crushing/size screening may increase sortable fractions. Laboratory and base line studies performed so far, at a speed of 17-20 tons / hour, indicate that waste rock may be reduced by as much as 22 % for some materials.</p><p>The testing of the prototypes continues, with special focus on the calibration for different matrix/grade combinations and optimization of hardware, software, algorithms and productivity.</p>
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