During this year’s Swedish Mining Research & Innovation Days, the Bergforsk Award was presented to two excellent young researchers whose theses were recognised for their scientific excellence and relevance to the Swedish mining and minerals sector. The award aims to promote top-level academic work in the fields of exploration, mining engineering, rock mechanics, mineral processing, and environmental geochemistry.
Best Master Thesis – Nadja Lundberg
Nadja Lundberg received the award for her thesis “Apatite-REE characterisation of the Fabian ore body, Malmberget”. Her research explores the occurrence and distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in apatite and monazite, providing valuable insights for LKAB’s circular innovation initiative ReeMAP. The study found that REE enrichment is typically greater in the cores of apatite grains than at the rims, and that monazite is commonly found as inclusions in apatite and anhydrite. Nadja’s work is a significant contribution to the understanding of the REE potential in the Malmberget ore body.
Nadja was present at the event in Luleå to receive the award in person.
Best Licentiate Thesis – Carlota Rodriguez San Miguel
Carlota Rodriguez San Miguel was awarded for her licentiate thesis “Small-scale Experiments for Blast-induced Damage: Exploring crack propagation through Digital Image Correlation”. Her work investigates how cracks propagate and damage develops during blasting in rock materials, using the advanced imaging method Digital Image Correlation (DIC). The thesis offers new insights that may help improve both the safety and efficiency of blasting operations in mining environments.
Both theses represent a strong combination of academic quality and industrial relevance – the very essence of what the Bergforsk Award aims to highlight and encourage. We warmly congratulate Nadja and Carlota, and look forward to following their continued contributions to mining research and innovation!
Award presenters: Anders Sand, board member & Sabine Mayer, CEO of Bergforsk
Photos: Elin Emborg, LTU Business
