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Students may only enrol in this Special Topic course on the advice of the Department of Geological Sciences.
Natural resources, both metalliferous and non-metallic, are essential components of modern society for our new green economy. In fact, these basic resources have been utilised for thousands of years, with steel assuming an increasingly important role in modern architecture. This course considers both the historical context of material usage, as well as the origin and technical requirements for specific materials in common modern usage. However, extraction of our resources, both modern and historical, can result in environmental impacts. Contaminated land and its remediation, water pollution and water treatment, environmental geochemistry, landfill operations and environmental impacts will all be addressed in the 2nd half of this course. The course is relevant to future employment in the minerals industry, either in exploration for or environmental management of the extractive industries.
The topics covered by this course are:Geologic natural resources including metallic, materials for a green economy, energySecondary resources from waste recoveryEnvironmental footprint of our mineral useStudents successfully completing this course will:Have developed an understanding of natural resources occurring at the surface of the Earth. Be able to identify mineral resources used in green technology Be able to use geologic principles to evaluate
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.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Lectures: 2 lectures per weekLaboratories: 1 lab (2.5 hour) per week in ER220
Kari Bassett and David Bell
David Bell and James Pope
Prof. Devin Sapsford (Cardiff University) and Dr. Chris Oze
Individual readings will be presented in lectures and labs
Prerequisites: GEOL101 and GEOL101 plus 30 pts from any 200 level GEOL paper or equivalents
Term 1 – Everyday Minerals & Non-Metallic DepositsLecture 1 – Resource Geology – An Introductory OverviewLecture 2 – Aggregates & Armourstone – Essential MaterialsLecture 3 – Armourstone in Marlborough – the NIMBY Syndrome Lecture 4 – Roading Aggregates & Pavement ConstructionLecture 5 – Portland Cement & Concrete Manufacture/TestingLecture 6 – Quicklime & Hydrated Lime ApplicationsLecture 7 – Clays, Ceramics & Brick/Tile ManufactureLecture 8 – Brines, Solar Salt & Chemical ApplicationsLecture 9 – Non-Renewable Energy Resources & UsesLecture 10 – Renewable Energy Resources: the Future?Lecture 11 – Extractive Industries & Quarrying PrinciplesLecture 12 – Environmental Management & Key IssuesTerm 2 – Metalliferous Ore Deposits & ExplorationLecture 13 – Overview of Metalliferous Ore-Forming ProcessesLecture 14 – Ore Fluid Sources & Hydrothermal SystemsLecture 15 – Ore Fluid Migration & Metallic Mineral DepositionLecture 16 – Porphyry Copper Systems & Ore DepositionLecture 17 – Mesothermal & Epithermal Gold-Silver SystemsLecture 18 – Metamorphic Hydrothermal Systems & DepositsLecture 19 – Weathering & Supergene Enrichment of OresLecture 20 – Geochemical and Geophysical Exploration TechniquesLecture 21 – Geochemical Data Analysis & PresentationLecture 22 – Grade Estimation & Ore Resource DefinitionLecture 23 – Mining Methods & Ore Recovery TechniquesLecture 24 – Environmental Issues & Mine Site Rehabilitation Term 1 – Laboratories (Non-Metallics)Week 1 – Description of Common Aggregate MaterialsWeek 2 – Local Quarry Visit (Isaac or Fulton Hogan)Week 3 – Aggregate Compaction Laboratory ExerciseWeek 4 – Hydraulic Conductivity Laboratory ExerciseWeek 5 – Testing of Cement Stabilised SandWeek 6 – Testing of Lime Stabilised LoessTerm 2 – Laboratories (Ore Minerals)Week 7 – Introduction to Ore Microscopy & Ore MineralsWeek 8 – Tui Mine Exercise & Report (1) Week 9 – Tui Mine Exercise & Report (2)Week 10 – Exploration Geochemistry Data AnalysisWeek 11 – Exploration Target Exercise (1)Week 12 – Exploration Target Exercise (2)
Domestic fee $978.00
International fee $4,988.00
* 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 .