Provides an introduction to ore deposit geology, key mineral deposit types and styles of mineralisation. This is the base for modules CSM M110, M429, M425 and M193. A short programme of local fieldwork (depending on COVID-19) and practicals is included.

The aim is to develop an understanding of the genesis, geological characteristics, mining and processing of the major types of metalliferous ore deposits. Major ore deposits relating to magmatic, hydrothermal, and surface processes are included. Both descriptive and genetic models of mineral deposits will be used to bring the topic to life. The selection of mineral deposits studied will vary depending upon lecturers’ research interests and areas of specialist knowledge, availability of guest lecturers, current trends in exploration, and commodity demand.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:


Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Know the key characteristics of the major ore deposit types and predict how these will affect exploration, evaluation and exploitation.

2. Understand the role of ore bearing fluids in the genesis of ore deposits and identify and explain the major controls to mineralisation for a variety of deposit types.

3. Understand the geological framework of major mining regions of the world, including the Cornubian orefield.

4. Recognise common ore and gangue forming minerals at a hand specimen level and identify relationships and associations of economic significance.


Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge


5. Understand and demonstrate the importance of making scientific observations, recognising similarities between these and stated models and using these observations to determine or support complex geological interpretations.

6. Understand the inter-disciplinary nature of the minerals industry, placing mining geology in the context of the wider exploration, development, processing and environmental management cycle of the mining industry.


Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

7. Have developed and promoted his/her learning and problem-solving skills.

8. Have developed and maintained a record of practical observations.
 

1. Introductory Lectures: Structures and forms of orebodies; processes for the formation of ores. The sources and nature of magmatic and hydrothermal fluids; structural, lithological and chemical controls to mineralisation. Mechanisms for deposition and the associated ore textures and wall rock alteration.

2. Use of descriptive and genetic models of mineral deposits to illustrate the above concepts.

The selection of mineral deposits studied varies depending upon lecturers research interests and areas of specialist knowledge, availability of guest lecturers, current trends in exploration, and commodity demand, but would typically include the following ore types, usually taught in blocks:


(i) layered intrusives (Pt/Cr), orthomagmatic Fe-Ti deposits, Ni-Cu-Co sulphide deposits of magmatic origin, (ii) porphyry Cu-Mo-Au and epithermal gold systems, (iii) volcanogenic massive sulphides VMS (iv) orogenic lode Au deposits (v) placers and (vi) industrial minerals.

3. Ore Mineralogy: hand specimen identification of major ore minerals and associated silicate phases. Mineral associations, textural relationships and paragenesis, implications for processing.

4.  A  study of the geology of SW England and development of the Cornubian orefield. This includes supervised fieldwork and studies at historic sites.
 

If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

Basic reading:

Journals:

Economic Geology, Ore Geology Reviews, Mineralium Deposita, Industrial Minerals, Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Section A. Mining Industry, Section B. Applied Earth Sciences (now known as Applied Earth Science.

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: