EA3910:03
Mining and Exploration Geology
| Townsville | HECS Band 2 |
23 hours lectures, 36 hours practicals. Semester 1.
Staff: Dr S Dominy, Dr T Blenkinsop, Professor N Oliver.
This subject covers principles of mining and exploration methods as applied to metalliferous mineral deposits. It provides awareness of the range of methods/techniques available for the exploration, evaluation and exploitation of deposits and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Representation of mine data, drilling and sampling, resource estimation, grade control, mine design and planning, structural analysis for exploration, mineral deposit geology and mineralogy, remote sensing and GIS, geophysical techniques and geochemical techniques are also covered.
Learning Objectives:
- develop skills to be able to interpret geological data, understand aspects of 3D geometry and the potential distribution, location and nature of mineable mineralisation;
- develop an understanding of the nature, challenges and ways of evaluating and exploiting mineral resources;
- develop an understanding and be able to undertake basic exploration for mineral deposits.
Assessment by a three-hour final examination (30%); practicals (50%); special topic study (20%).