GEOL337-21S1 (C) Semester One 2021

Geothermal and Ore Exploration

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 22 February 2021
End Date: Sunday, 27 June 2021
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 7 March 2021
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 14 May 2021

Description

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). GEOL337 is an applied geology course with a professional/industry geology flavour.

Learning Outcomes

  • define and explain Geothermal Energy
  • 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
  • selection of geochemical exploration and geochemical data presentation/analysis methods

      • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

GEOL242 and any 15 points at 200 level from GEOL

Timetable Note

2 lectures per week, 1 x 2.5 hour lab per week (unless ‘no lab’ is indicated), 1 half-day field trip to Sumner Beach.

Course Coordinator

Darren Gravley

Lecturer

David Bell

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Permeability report 15%
Geothermal Conceptual model 15%
Ore Petrography report 15%
Tui Mine report 15%
Final exam 40%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Boden, David R; Geologic fundamentals of geothermal energy ; CRC Press, 2017.

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.

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.

Course links

Library portal

Notes

Prerequisites
GEOL242 is a required pre-requisite, along with 15 points from GEOL243-245.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $910.00

International fee $4,438.00

* 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 .

All GEOL337 Occurrences

  • GEOL337-21S1 (C) Semester One 2021
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