Geological Survey of Finland’s Layman’s Sample Main Award Goes to Jurva
The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) presented layman’s sample awards in Kuopio on 26 March for the best rock samples submitted in 2024. GTK awarded 20 mineral enthusiasts a total of EUR 10,900. The main award went to Jurva, and recognition awards to Nivala, Turku and Toholampi. GTK’s layman’s sample activities support the exploration and study of national raw material resources and contribute to related data reserves.
The layman’s sample practice is now part of Finland’s National Exploration Programme, which focuses on the critical and strategic raw materials defined by the EU. These raw materials are emphasised when the awards are granted.
Hannu Syrjä from Jurva received the main award of EUR 1,800 for an ore boulder he discovered in Kitee. The boulder derives from a large, partly weathered anorthosite. Analyses showed 0.80% nickel, 1,930 g/t cobalt, 0.17% copper, 1.88 g/t platinum and 2.59 g/t palladium. No similar mineralisation has previously been reported as layman’s samples from the area. The find therefore provides significant new information on the nickel, cobalt and platinum group metal potential of the region.
Recognition awards to Nivala, Turku and Toholampi
Kari Ahlholm from Nivala received a EUR 1,300 recognition award for layman’s samples he found in Haapajärvi, Reisjärvi and Kannus.
In Haapajärvi, Ahlholm found a gneiss outcrop containing 1.12% copper, 4.09 g/t gold, 1,180 g/t bismuth and 58 g/t silver. The discovery lies west of the Kopsa gold occurrence and thus provides new information on the extent of the known gold–copper–potential zone.
In addition, Ahlholm has found several gold-bearing boulders in the Haapajärvi, Reisjärvi and Kannus areas, with analyses showing up to 13.45 g/t gold and minor bismuth (620 g/t).
Veli-Matti Koivula from Turku received a EUR 1,200 recognition award for several copper-bearing gneiss outcrops he discovered in Mynämäki. The samples contain up to 2.34% copper. Some samples also show elevated gold content, up to 1.18 g/t. The mineralisation occurs in hydrothermally altered fracture zones within hornblende gneiss. The findings provide new information on the extent of the previously uninvestigated mineralised zone that Koivula had earlier discovered.
Koivula has also found copper-enriched outcrops in the Kurikka area, with analyses showing up to 1 g/t gold, 0.23% copper and 1,730 g/t bismuth.
Aaro Paananen from Toholampi received an EUR 1,100 recognition award for samples discovered in Ylivieska, Kannus, Toholampi, Sievi, Laihia and Ivalo.
In Ylivieska, Paananen found local cobalt- and gold-bearing gabbro boulders. The samples contain up to 1,080 g/t cobalt and 3.04 g/t gold associated with arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite. This type of mineralisation is not previously known in the nickel-potential area.
In addition, Paananen has found gold-bearing boulders widely across the Kannus, Ylivieska and Sievi areas, with analyses showing up to 8.3 g/t gold.
From the Ivalo area, Paananen discovered a sulphide schist boulder containing 35.40% iron and minor cobalt (370 g/t).
Hobby awards granted to 16 People
Erkki Myllylä from Merijärvi received a EUR 900 hobby award for a gabbro outcrop he discovered in Merijärvi. Analyses showed 0.52% copper and 0.37% nickel. Observations of old copper- and nickel-enriched layman’s samples are known south of the discovery site, but no ore deposits have previously been identified in the area. The find therefore provides new insight into the area’s copper–nickel potential.
Jouni Nuutinen from Uimaharju received a EUR 700 hobby award for samples found in Joensuu, Lieksa and Ilomantsi.
In Joensuu, Nuutinen discovered new iron sulphide ore outcrops, with iron concentrations of up to 43% and weak cobalt indications. These findings relate to the same iron-rich zone as his earlier discoveries in the area. Nuutinen also found a paragneiss boulder containing 9.46% graphitic carbon.
In Lieksa, Nuutinen discovered several pyrrhotite-rich amphibolite boulders containing up to 0.51% copper and weak indications of nickel.
In addition, together with Esko Rokkonen, Nuutinen discovered a quartz-vein-rich outcrop area in Ilomantsi, with a sample containing 0.94 g/t gold. The find lies east of Endomines’ exploration licence areas.
Reijo Ylikippari from Pirkkala received a EUR 700 hobby award for a graphite schist boulder discovered in Kokemäki. The sample contains 35.4% graphitic carbon, largely occurring as compact graphite. A metal detector survey also revealed graphite-bearing boulders in the area. As no graphite deposits are known in the region, the discovery brings new information on local graphite potential.
Sami Pistemaa from Rantsila received a EUR 700 hobby award for graphite-bearing boulders found in Siikalatva and Tyrnävä. More than a dozen flake-graphite-bearing paragneiss boulders have been observed in the area, with graphitic carbon concentrations up to 5.66%. The Tyrnävä boulders are almost local, bringing new information on the graphite potential of the electrical anomaly zone east of the Kupukka–Uljua section.
Juha Turpeinen from Lieksa received a EUR 500 hobby award for boulders he found in Kuhmo and Ilomantsi. In Kuhmo, he discovered a sulphide ore boulder containing 41.60% iron and an amphibolite boulder with 0.27% nickel.
In addition, in Ilomantsi Turpeinen found a black schist boulder containing 3.11% graphitic carbon and 0.22% nickel.
Matti Hirvonen from Lieksa received a EUR 300 hobby award for a paralschist boulder found in Rääkkylä containing 9.57% graphitic carbon. The discovery supports graphite potential observed in the area the previous year. Rocks are locally enriched in pyrrhotite and showed weak zinc concentrations.
In addition, Hirvonen discovered a black schist boulder in Lieksa containing 1.02 g/t gold and 0.24% copper.
Esko Rokkonen from Lieksa received a EUR 300 hobby award for a hornblende gneiss boulder containing 0.16% nickel, and for amphibolite boulders showing weak indications of copper and platinum group metals.
Together with Jouni Nuutinen, Rokkonen also discovered the quartz-vein-rich outcrop area in Ilomantsi from which a sample containing 0.94 g/t gold was analysed.
In addition, ten mineral enthusiasts received EUR 150–200 hobby awards for promising rock samples discovered across Finland.
Further Information
Geological Survey of Finland, kansannaytetoimisto@gtk.fi
GTK Switchboard: +358 29 503 0000
More information and guidance for mineral enthusiasts can be found at kivinayte.gtk.fi
Layman’s Sample Awards 2024
The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) awarded mineral enthusiasts a total of €10,900 for the best bedrock and boulder samples submitted in 2024.
Main award
Award sum: €1,800
Finder: Hannu Syrjä, Jurva
Location: Kitee
Hannu Syrjä discovered in Kitee an ore-bearing boulder that analysed 0.80% nickel, 0.17% copper, 1,930 g/t cobalt, 1.88 g/t platinum and 2.59 g/t palladium. The boulder originates from a large, partly weathered anorthosite. No similar layman’s samples have previously been reported from the area. The discovery therefore provides significant new information about the region’s potential for nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals.
Recognition awards
Award sum: €1,300
Finder: Kari Ahlholm, Nivala
Locations: Haapajärvi, Reisjärvi, Kannus
Kari Ahlholm discovered in Haapajärvi a gneiss outcrop that analysed 1.12% copper, 4.09 g/t gold, 1,180 g/t bismuth and 58 g/t silver. The find is located west of the Kopsa gold occurrence and thus provides new insight into the extent of the known gold–copper‑prospective zone.
Ahlholm also found several gold‑bearing boulders in the Haapajärvi, Reisjärvi and Kannus areas, with maximum analyses of 13.45 g/t gold and minor bismuth (620 g/t).
Award sum: €1,200
Finder: Veli-Matti Koivula, Turku
Locations: Mynämäki, Kurikka
Veli‑Matti Koivula discovered several copper‑bearing gneiss outcrops in Mynämäki. The samples analysed up to 2.34% copper. Some also showed elevated gold grades, up to 1.18 g/t. The mineralisation occurs in hydrothermally altered fracture zones within hornblende gneiss. The observations extend knowledge of the mineralised zone Koivula had previously identified but remains unstudied.
Koivula also found copper‑enriched outcrops in Kurikka, with maximum analyses of 1 g/t gold, 0.23% copper and 1,730 g/t bismuth.
Award sum: €1,100
Finder: Aaro Paananen, Toholampi
Locations: Ylivieska, Kannus, Toholampi, Sievi, Laihia, Ivalo
Aaro Paananen discovered in Ylivieska local cobalt‑ and gold‑bearing gabbro boulders. The samples contain arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite, with maximum analyses of 1,080 g/t cobalt and 3.04 g/t gold. The mineralisation type is previously unknown in this nickel‑prospective area.
In Kannus, Ylivieska and Sievi, Paananen also found gold‑bearing boulders across a wide area, with a maximum gold content of 8.3 g/t.
In Ivalo, he found a local sulphide‑schist boulder containing 35.40% iron and minor cobalt (370 g/t).
Hobby awards
Award sum: €900
Finder: Erkki Myllylä, Merijärvi
Location: Merijärvi
Erkki Myllylä discovered in Merijärvi a gabbro outcrop that analysed 0.52% copper and 0.37% nickel. Although old layman’s samples enriched in copper and nickel are known from south of the site, no ore deposits have been identified. The find offers new information on the area’s copper–nickel potential.
Award sum: €700
Finder: Jouni Nuutinen, Uimaharju
Locations: Joensuu, Lieksa, Ilomantsi
Jouni Nuutinen discovered new iron sulphide ore outcrops in Joensuu, with iron grades up to 43% and weak indications of cobalt. The finds relate to the same iron‑rich zone as his earlier discoveries.
He also found in Joensuu a paragneiss boulder containing 9.46% graphitic carbon.
In Lieksa, Nuutinen found several pyrrhotite‑rich amphibolite boulders, with maximum analyses of 0.51% copper and weak indications of nickel.
Together with Esko Rokkonen, he discovered in Ilomantsi a quartz‑vein‑rich outcrop area where a sample analysed 0.94 g/t gold. The find is located east of Endomines’ exploration areas.
Award sum: €700
Finder: Reijo Ylikippari, Pirkkala
Location: Kokemäki
Reijo Ylikippari discovered a graphite‑schist boulder in Kokemäki that analysed 35.4% graphitic carbon, occurring mainly as compact material. Metal detector surveys revealed additional graphite‑bearing boulders nearby. As no graphite deposits are known in the area, the discovery improves understanding of its graphite potential.
Award sum: €700
Finder: Sami Pistemaa, Rantsila
Locations: Siikalatva, Tyrnävä
Sami Pistemaa found more than ten graphite‑bearing paragneiss boulders in Siikalatva and Tyrnävä, with maximum graphitic carbon content of 5.66%. The Tyrnävä boulders are nearly local, adding new information on the graphite potential east of the Kupukka–Uljua electromagnetic anomaly.
Award sum: €500
Finder: Juha Turpeinen, Lieksa
Locations: Kuhmo, Ilomantsi
Juha Turpeinen found in Kuhmo an ore‑bearing sulphide boulder containing 41.6% iron, as well as an amphibolite boulder with 0.27% nickel.
In Ilomantsi, he found a black schist boulder containing 3.11% graphitic carbon and 0.22% nickel.
Award sum: €300
Finder: Matti Hirvonen, Lieksa
Locations: Rääkkylä, Lieksa
Matti Hirvonen discovered in Rääkkylä a paragneiss boulder containing 9.57% graphitic carbon, supporting last year’s observations of graphite potential. Local rocks are enriched in pyrrhotite and show weakly elevated zinc.
In Lieksa, he found a black schist boulder containing 1.02 g/t gold and 0.24% copper.
Award sum: €300
Finder: Esko Rokkonen, Lieksa
Locations: Lieksa, Ilomantsi
Esko Rokkonen discovered in Lieksa a hornblende‑gneiss boulder containing 0.16% nickel and amphibolite boulders with weak indications of copper and platinum‑group metals.
Together with Jouni Nuutinen, he also discovered in Ilomantsi a quartz‑vein‑rich outcrop area where a sample analysed 0.94 g/t gold.
Award sum: €200
Finder: Matti Huovinen, Posio
Location: Posio
Matti Huovinen discovered in Posio a glacially transported gneiss boulder containing 0.63 g/t palladium, 0.16 g/t platinum and 0.30% copper.
He also found a pyroxenite boulder from a known PGE occurrence area, analysing 0.41 g/t palladium, 0.13 g/t platinum and 0.21% nickel.
Award sum: €200
Finder: Heikki Orava, Lappajärvi
Locations: Veteli, Alajärvi
Heikki Orava found paragneiss and black schist boulders in Veteli and Alajärvi containing up to 7.56% graphitic carbon. One sample also contained 0.19% nickel. Some samples showed slight zinc concentrations.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Olavi Myllykangas, Kemi
Locations: Keminmaa, Tervola
Olavi Myllykangas discovered in Keminmaa an ironstone containing 26.2% iron and 3.67% manganese.
In Tervola, he found magnetite ore and sulphide ore boulders with maximum grades of 55.3% iron, 1.46% copper and 1.43 g/t gold. Similar samples have been found previously near the road leading to the Kivimaa mine.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Raimo Heikkinen, Jyväskylä
Location: Raappananmäki
Raimo Heikkinen submitted a sample of chalcopyrite‑bearing road gravel, traced back to a gravel pit in Raappananmäki. The sample analysed 0.77% copper. The surrounding area has been studied previously and no economically viable copper or gold mineralisations have been identified.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Pentti Koivisto, Pori
Location: Kullaa
Pentti Koivisto discovered arsenopyrite‑bearing paragneiss boulders in Kullaa, containing 3.76 g/t and 2.19 g/t gold. The area has many previous gold‑bearing layman’s samples and small known gold occurrences.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Harri Mikkonen, Suomussalmi
Location: Suomussalmi
Harri Mikkonen discovered a sulphide ore outcrop in Suomussalmi with 35.9% iron. The area is covered by overburden, but rusty bedrock can be exposed by digging for several tens of metres. No mineralisations are known in the area.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Tuomo Kärki, Ilomantsi
Location: Ilomantsi
Tuomo Kärki discovered in Ilomantsi a quartz rock containing 9.31 g/t gold. The area has an exploration permit application by Endomines.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Sauli Korpela, Vaasa
Location: Laihia
Sauli Korpela discovered in Laihia a large boulder containing 4.40% graphitic carbon, adding to the graphite potential demonstrated in the area last year.
Award sum: €150
Finder: Mika Ihalainen, Joroinen
Location: Joroinen
Mika Ihalainen discovered in Joroinen a paragneiss boulder containing 6.41% graphitic carbon. The boulder likely originates from the broader electromagnetic anomaly zone located west of the find.
