Finnsbo drilling costs21 Mar 2026 15:03
Thinking about likely cost of the 3 x core drills inc planning & permitting. Using ChatGPT:
🧱 1. Typical cost per metre (Sweden / Europe)
• Swedish guidance: SEK 500–1000 per metre (~£35–£70/m) 
• Global hard-rock exploration: $350–600/m (~£275–£475/m) 
👉 Big takeaway:
• Sweden can be cheaper on paper, but real junior exploration (with contractors, mobilisation, logistics) usually lands closer to:
✅ £150–£400 per metre all-in (realistic working range)
📏 2. Likely hole depth at Finnsbo
We don’t have exact depths published, but for early-stage Scandinavian exploration:
• Typical hole depth: 100–300m per hole
• Early programs are usually shallow reconnaissance
👉 So:
• Low case: 3 × 100m = 300m
• Mid case: 3 × 150m = 450m
• High case: 3 × 250m = 750m
💰 3. Drilling cost estimate
Using £150–£400/m:
🔹 Low scenario (300m)
• £45k → £120k
🔹 Mid scenario (450m)
• £70k → £180k
🔹 High scenario (750m)
• £110k → £300k
➕ 4. Add real-world extras (this is crucial)
Drilling cost per metre is only part of it. You also have:
Fixed / semi-fixed costs:
• Mobilisation / demobilisation: £10k–£50k
• Permitting & environmental: £5k–£20k
• Geological supervision & logging: £10k–£30k
• Assays (lab testing): £30–£100 per sample → easily £10k–£40k total
• Site prep (tracks, pads, clearing): £5k–£20k
👉 These can double the headline drilling cost on small programmes.
📊 5. All-in realistic estimate
Putting it together:
Scenario Total Cost (3 holes)
Low (shallow, efficient) ~£80k
Mid (most likely) £120k – £220k
High (deeper / difficult) £250k – £350k
🧠 6. Key insight (very relevant to the dispute)
Alba’s earn-in threshold (Stage 1) was roughly:
👉 ~£100k spend
So your estimate shows:
• Even a modest 3-hole program could plausibly exceed £100k
• Especially once you include:
• Assays
• Logistics
• Geologists
👉 Which strengthens Alba’s argument:
“We’ve done enough work to earn the 25%”
⚖️ Bottom line
A realistic industry estimate for the Finnsbo drilling:
💰 ~£120k to £220k all-in (most likely range)