lavmetallisk

Lavmetallisk is a term used in some Swedish-language geology and mineralogy texts to describe materials that have relatively low metal content or a subdued metallic character. The word is a compound of the Swedish elements lav (low) and metallisk (metallic). It is not an officially codified category in major international mineral classifications, and its exact usage varies by author and context.

In practice, lavmetallisk can refer to ores and minerals where the concentration of economically valuable metals is low, or to minerals with a non-metallic or weakly metallic luster despite containing metal ions. The term is often used informally to distinguish materials that are unlikely to be economically worth mining due to low metal content, or to describe mineral phases within rocks that carry only minor amounts of metal.

Formation and occurrence of lavmetallisk materials can span a range of geological settings, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, wherever metal-bearing minerals exist but in small proportions. The concept emphasizes relative, not absolute, scarcity of metal content versus high-grade counterparts described as metallisk.

Measurement and assessment typically rely on standard analytical techniques used in mineralogy and ore geology, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and assay-grade chemical analyses. Because there is no standardized threshold, what constitutes lavmetallisk is not universally defined and can vary with commodity, deposit type, and project economics.

See also: mineral classification, ore grade, luster, Swedish geological terminology. Note that lavmetallisk remains informal and is mainly encountered in Swedish-language sources; for precise terminology, consult primary literature.