35527 - Mineral Resources

Learning outcomes

The objective of this course is giving the students an integrated vision of the main ore-forming geological processes that may be active in the largest possible number of geological environments, i.e., magmatic, hydrothermal (including geothermal), and sedimentary environments.

The students will be confronted with a set of analytical and quantitative methods to study ore deposits: reflected light microscopy, hydrothermal alteration study, fluid inclusion study, fluid-mineral equilibria study.

At the end of the course, the students will be able to distinguish the main differences occurring among the distinct ore-forming environments, and also identify the main field and laboratory methods that should be used to study the deposit types.

The course will give a focus also on the hystorical Italian ore deposits.

Course contents

The subjects of this course will be the definition of the following types of ore deposits:

- Magmatic (REE in carbonates, cromite, PGEs, Ni, pegmatites, diamonds),

- Hydrothermal in magmatic-orogenic environments (porphyry deposits, epithermal deposits, skarn deposits, Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide deposits, orogenic Au deposits, geothermal fields as proxies of forming ore deposits);

- Hydrothermal in sedimentary environments (Mississippi Valley type deposits, hydrothermal-exhalative deposits);

- Sedimentary (Banded Iron Formation deposits; fluvial placers and paleoplacers);

The used methods in this course will be the reflected light microscopy, geochemical and mineralogical study of hydrothermal alteration, fluid inclusion studies, fluid-mineral equilibria.

Readings/Bibliography

Ridley, J. (2013). Ore Deposit Geology. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-02222-5

Anderson G. (2017). Thermodynamics of Natural Systems (3rd Edition). ISBN 978-1-107-17521-1

Teaching methods

- Class teaching;

- Laboratory teaching;

- Practical work to be carried out both in class and lab.

Assessment methods

- Class exercises;

- Oral exam.

Teaching tools

- Taught classes,

- Publications and extra material to be discussed and commented in the class

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Garofalo