Exploration Techniques - 2019 entry

This module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to mineral exploration techniques commonly applied in the mining sector. It is a major selling point for jobs in mineral exploration and production, site investigation as well as general applied geology.

This module is compulsory for BSc/ MGeol Applied Geology and optional for BSc/ MGeol EGG and Geology.

The module has been designed to cater for the need of the exploration and mine geologist and for those geoscientists employed to investigate environmental and construction related issues. After a general introduction to mineral exploration, key exploration methods will be presented in lectures and practicals. This includes an underground mapping exercise and geophysical field surveying. Further lectures will introduce the financial background of mining projects (feasibility studies) and the role of the geologist in resource estimation and grade control.

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Demonstrate an understanding of the organisation of the mining industry and its objectives, particularly with respect to exploration;

2 Demonstrate an understanding of the stages of exploration programmes and the appropriate choices of exploration techniques;

3 Demonstrate an understanding of drilling techniques, how resources and reserves are calculated and their importance in raising finance for the mining industry;

4 Demonstrate an appreciation of geochemical sampling techniques utilising rock, soil and stream sediment data;

5 Demonstrate a knowledge of the main exploration geophysical techniques, their methods and uses;

6 Demonstrate an understanding the principles, instrumentation and analysis methods used in these techniques;

7 Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and limitations of the various geophysical techniques and data processing and interpretation methods which are commonly used;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

8 Develop an awareness of the place and role of geophysical and geochemical techniques and be able to apply these techniques in theory and practice;

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

9 Present data in written/graphical form including numeracy, analysis.

Associated Academic Staff:

Exploration Programmes and Exploration Geochemistry (Benedikt Steiner)

Geophysics in Site Investigation (Neill Wood)

Resource geology and mining finance (Paul Wheeler)

Underground Mapping (Robin Shail)

-Organisation of the mining industry, exploration objectives, converting geological models into exploration programmes;

- Health & Safety in the mineral exploration sector;

- Operations Support and Logistics;

- Exploration geochemistry: (1) geochemical principles and surveys, (2) interpretation of geochemical datasets and (3) Analytical Geochemistry and QAQC;

- Drilling methods and borehole surveying;

- Mining Finance, Production Geology & Mining Geology;

- Near-surface exploration geophysics: use of geophysical techniques and instrumentation; important factors in the design of surveys and simple processing of data;

- Underground Mapping.

As above, one piece of Coursework (50%), and/or one Exam (50%)

Reading list for this module: