Alum Shale Formation

The Alum Shale Formation is a rock formation of black shale of Miaolingian (Middle Cambrian) to Tremadocian (Lower Ordovician) in age found predominantly in Scandinavia, but also some parts of Estonia and Finland. The greatest extent of the rock deposition comprises most of Sweden. It is characterized by organic-rich shales.

The name derives from the ancient mining of the rock to obtain alum. There’s economic interest surrounding these rocks, due to unusually high concentrations of U, V, Mo, P, REE, among others, now considered critical materials for future sustainable development.

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