Study information

GIS for Mineral Explorationists and Geoenvironmental Engineers - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEGIS for Mineral Explorationists and Geoenvironmental Engineers CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM219 MODULE CONVENERDr Benedikt Steiner (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 50
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Provides an introduction to basic and advanced GIS skills used by geologists and engineers in the mining and environmental industry. You will learn and familiarise with the most fundamental tools and software packages used to collect, analyse, manipulate and display spatial datasets.

Prerequisite modules: Undergraduate module(s) in GIS

AIMS - intentions of the module
The module introduces and develops advanced spatial visualisation and modelling skills associated with the daily work of an exploration and environmental geologist. These include practical work on a number of spatial datasets and will guide the student from simple data visualisation to designing geodatabases and spatial modelling/ mineral potential mapping practicals. A highlight will be the processing of data related to a contaminated land investigation at the historic mine site of Poldice, which will support seminar-based learning of data capture, manipulation and visualisation methods.
 
After completing this module you will be able to confidently apply GIS methods in the applied geoscience sector. The module provides the foundation knowledge for CSMM192 Advanced Geoscientific Computing & Data Management and CSMM193 Exploration Targeting in Term 2 of the MSc Exploration Geology Programme.
 
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Discuss advanced exploration methods, in particular GIS and spatial data handling and integration
2. Confidently use ArcGIS software packages
3. Handle spatial data and generate maps, databases and interpretations for geological and general management
4. Explain how exploration targets are generated and interpreted from a number of spatial data sources

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

5. Systematically and critically explore the use of GIS for acquisition, analysis, interpretation and presentation of geo-scientific data relevant to the mineral exploration, environmental and mining industry.
6. Apply a variety of exploration techniques in the study of mineral deposits. Sources of data will encompass literature, laboratory and field based materials and information.
7. Synthesise and evaluate complex geological data, make sound judgments and communicate the results to others, along with an ability to make recommendations relevant to decision-making in the mining industry.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

8. Select and utilise a full range of online learning resources and software packages to analyse, synthesise and interpret data. This includes GIS software, academic papers, book chapters, discussion boards and online individual and group activities.
9.Demonstrate commercial awareness with regards to exploration techniques
10. Discuss complex issues, report on them and communicate the results to others.

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
1. Introduction to the use of GIS and spatial modelling in mining and mineral exploration
2. Coordinate systems and georeferencing
3. Geodatabases
4. Creating and editing data
5. Symbology and Visualisation
6. Cartography using GIS
7. Spatial analysis and Interpolation 
8. Suitability Analysis and Mineral Potential Mapping 
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 100 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 50 Lectures, practicals and drop-in sessions. Focus will be on developing computing skills and familiarisation with industry standard software.
Guided independent study 100 Coursework and using online resources with guidance from UoE staff.
     

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Drop-in sessions Variable 1-10 Verbal
Discussion boards Variable 1-10 Written (on discussion boards)
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Geological Mapping in GIS & Databasing 40 4 pages plus geological map and GDB files 1-3, 8, 10 Written/Verbal
GIS project (Poldice) 60 15 pages and processed fieldwork files 1-10 Written/Verbal
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Geological Mapping and Databasing Coursework 1-3, 8, 10 Ref/ Def period
GIS Project (Poldice) Coursework 1-10  
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Depending on previous performance on assignments (how many assignments were passed?), one or two pieces of coursework at 40% or 60% each. All referral marks are capped at 50%.  All referral marks are capped at 50%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

All ArcGIS workflows are described on the ESRI support web pages detailed below. This should be your first call for all technical ArcGIS matters.

 

Recommended background reference books are:

Bonham-Carter, G.F., 1994. Geographic Information Systems for geoscientists—modelling with GIS. Pergamon, New York, 398 p.

 

Additional reading material (chapters on GIS and Mineral Potential Mapping) are:

Carranza, 2002. Geologically-Constrained Mineral Potential Mapping. Examples from the Philippines. ITC Publication No. 80, 496p.

Carranza, 2008. Geochemical Anomaly and Mineral Prospectivity Mapping in GIS. 1st edition. Elsevier, 368p

Moon, C., Whateley, M. and Evans, M. (eds.), 2005. Introduction to Mineral Exploration. Wiley. 2nd edition. 496p.

Marjoribanks, R., 2010. Geological Methods in Mineral Exploration and Mining, 2nd edition, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010. 238p.

 

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

A list of web resources and academic papers are available through ELE. In addition, the course site contains comprehensive online resources including lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documents and reference material in pdf format, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards; and links to the University of Exeter electronic library and its comprehensive resources.

 

Web based and electronic resources:

Module is largely delivered by a dedicated ELE website that also involves links to external corporate, professional, educational websites and YouTube.

http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/Gisdictionary/browse (useful GIS dictionary provided by ESRI)

http://resources.arcgis.com  (useful website for ArcGIS forums, online help and support)

http://help.arcgis.com/ (another useful ArcGIS online help website) 

 

Other resources:

The site will have additional literature resources from external professional bodies, technical guides and manuals and use of company annual reports.

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Bonham-Carter, G. F. Geographic Information Systems for Geoscientists: Modelling with GIS Pergamon, 398p 1994
Set Carranza Geologically-Constrained Mineral Potential Mapping. Examples from the Philippines ITC Publication No. 80, 496p. 2002
Set Carranza, E. J. M. Geochemical Anomaly and Mineral Prospectivity Mapping in GIS 1st Elsevier, 368p 2008
Set Moon, C.J., Whateley, M.K.G., Evans, A.M. (eds) Introduction to Mineral Exploration Electronic Blackwell Science 2006
Set Marjoribanks, R. Geological Methods in Mineral Exploration and Mining 2nd Chapman & Hall 2010
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Monday 22nd June 2020 LAST REVISION DATE Monday 17th May 2021
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mineral, exploration, ore, deposits, geology, exploration, GIS, cartography, mineral potential mapping

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.