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Nature and origin of metallic ore deposits and how to find them, with emphasis on geophysical and geochemical exploration. Mining methods and mining geology.
Geothermal (or hydrothermal) processes are not only important in the extraction of heat as an energy resource, but they are responsible for the genesis and formation of an important class of economic ore bodies. Geothermal and Ore-forming systems require heat, fluids and permeability for the fluids to transport the heat and solutes (i.e. metals). Both Energy and Mineral Exploration encompasses many of those areas of geology within which many university graduates find employment, and specialist postgraduate courses are recommended for those wishing to pursue professional careers in these disciplines. Geochemical and geophysical exploration techniques are widely used in locating and characterising geothermal reservoirs and ore bodies by identifying chemical and/or physical anomalies that justify follow-up by drilling and other sampling or testing methods. Modern exploration is typically interdisciplinary, concept-oriented and model-driven, whether the buried resource is obvious from the surface geology or hidden. In addition, these conceptual models are paramount to the management (sustainable, economical, environmental) of the resources. In the first four weeks of the course, we discuss hydrothermal geology with links to geothermal systems and the processes that lead to the genesis and formation of metallic ores. In the following eight weeks, we focus on the formation of ore deposits and geochemical and geophysical exploration techniques including geostatistics used to define resources, as well as introducing you to geological modelling and computer software used to conceptualise the resource. Laboratory assignments will be assessed throughout the course and total 60% of the course grade.Timetable:Lectures - 2 lectures per week. Schedule to be advisedLaboratories - 1 x 2.5 hour lab per week. Schedule to be advised
Goal of the Course:GEOL337 introduces students to the fundamentals of geothermal and ore-forming process and their exploration.Students successfully completing this course will be able to: explain the geologic controls of geothermal systems explain permeability and its role in mass and heat transfer in the crust draw geothermal conceptual models from well data and field observations understand how geothermal energy is created understand how hydrothermal processes are related to ore genesis can identify and classify ore minerals and textures under the microscope and how they formed describe selected ore deposit types in detail and their exploration requirements choose between appropriate geochemical exploration methods and geochemical data presentation/analysis; geostatistics take a concept-oriented approach in the analysis of geological data
GEOL242 and 15 points from GEOL243-245.
Darren Gravley
David Bell and Jonathan Davidson
Evans, Anthony M; Ore Geology and Industrial Minerals : An Introduction ; 3rd ed; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2009.
Evans, Anthony M. , Barrett, William L; Introduction to mineral exploration ; Blackwell Science, 1995.
Kearey, P. , Brooks, M., Hill, Ian; An introduction to geophysical exploration ; 3rd ed. ; Blackwell Science, 2002.
Milsom, John; Field geophysics ; 3rd ed; J. Wiley, 2003.
Moon, Charles. et al; Introduction to mineral exploration ; 2nd ed; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2009.
Robb, L. J; Introduction to ore-forming processes ; Blackwell Pub, 2005.
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Summary of the Course Content:The topics coved by this course are:Topic 1 Geothermal Systems (Darren Gravley, 8 lectures)• Hydrothermal processes• Geothermal systems: geologic context• Geothermal fluids: mass and heat transfer• Conceptual reservoir models• Geothermal energyWeeks 9-12, February-MarchTopic 2 Ore-forming Processes and Exploration (David Bell, 10 lectures)• Type of Ore-forming environments• Nature and formation of metallic ore deposits• Ore (alteration) mineralogy• Geochemical and Geophysical exploration techniques• Geostatistics (data analysis and presentation)Weeks 13-15, 19-20 March-MayTopic 3 Geomodelling (Jonathan Davidson, 6 lectures)• What is a geomodel and how can it help define and explore a resource?• Geomodelling software (LeapFrog)• Geologic model case studies• Building a geologic model of an ore deposit/geothermal reservoirWeeks 21-23 May Marks and GradesThe Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:100 – 90 A+ 74 – 70 B 54 – 50 C-89 – 85 A 69 – 65 B- 49 – 40 D84 – 80 A- 64 – 60 C+ Below 40 E79 – 75 B+ 59 – 55 C The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.Late WorkIt is the policy for this course that late work is not accepted. Or, late work should be accompanied with a detailed explanation of why the work is late. The work will be marked and marks will be subtracted for each day the work is late. Days late include week-end and holidays. Academic LiaisonChristopher Oze (room 329, HUchristopher.oze@canterbury.ac.nzUH, is in charge of liaison with students in geology courses. Each year level will appoint a student representative(s) to the liaison committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to the Academic Liaison or the student rep about any problems or concerns that you might have.Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities should speak with someone at Disability Resource Service. Their office is room 317 in the Rutherford Building. Phone: 364 2350 (or ext. 6350), email: disabilities@canterbury.ac.nzPolicy on Dishonest PracticePlagiarism, collusion, copying and ghost writing are unacceptable and dishonest practices.• Plagiarism is the presentation of any material (text, data, figures or drawings, on any medium including computer files) from any other source without clear and adequate acknowledgement of the source.• Collusion is the presentation of work performed in conjunction with another person or persons, but submitted as if it has been completed only by the names author(s). • Copying is the use of material (in any medium, including computer files) produced by another person(s) with or without their knowledge and approval.• Ghost writing is the use of another person(s) (with or without payment) to prepare all or part of an item submitted for assessment. In cases where dishonest practice is involved in tests or other work submitted for credit, the student will be referred to the University Proctor. The instructor may choose to not mark the work. Reconsideration of GradesStudents should, in the first instance, speak to the course co-ordinator about their marks. If they cannot reach an agreeable solution, students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Students can appeal any decision made on their final grade. You can apply at the Registry to appeal the final grade within 4 weeks of the end of the semester. Be aware that there are time limits for each step of the appeals process. Aegrotat ApplicationsIf you feel that illness, injury, bereavement or other critical circumstances has prevented you from completing an item of assessment or affected your performance, you should complete an aegrotat application form, available from the Registry or the Student Health and Counselling Service. This should be within seven days of the due date for the required work or the date of the examination. In the case of illness or injury, medical consultation should normally have taken place shortly before or within 24 hours after the due date for the required work, or the date of the test or examination. For further details on aegrotat applications, please refer to the Enrolment Handbook. You have the right to appeal any decision made, including aegrotat decisions. Missing of TestsIn rare cases a student will not be able to sit a test. In such cases, the student should consult with the course co-ordinator or the Head of the Department of Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test.
Week # - Week starting - Lectures - Lecturer - Labs9 - 22rd Feb - Geothermal Systems 1 - DG - Geothermal recipe: water, heat, permeability10 - 29th Feb - Geothermal Systems 2 - DG - Scales of Permeability11 - 7th March - Geothermal Systems 3 - DG - Geothermal Conceptual Models12 - 14th March - Geothermal Systems 4 - DG - Geothermal Conceptual Models13 - 21st March - Ore deposits and types - DHB - Ore petrography 114 - 28th March - Ore-forming processes 1 - DHB - Ore petrography 215 - 4th April - Ore-forming processes 2 - DHB - Ore petrography 3Semester Break 19 - 2nd May - Ore-forming processes 3 - DHB - Exploration geochemistry20 - 9th May - Ore exploration & geostatistics - DHB - Exploration geophysics 21 - 16th May - Geomodelling - JD - Geomodelling 122 - 23rd May - Geomodelling - JD - Geomodelling 223 - 30th May - Geomodelling - JD - Geomodelling 3
Domestic fee $832.00
International fee $3,638.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .