Mineral Resources and Environmental Interactions: Types, Management and Teaching
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
In the first part, the aim of the course is the understanding of the basic concepts of economic geology. In particular, 1) definitions related to the concepts of ore and deposit; 2) the understanding of the close relationship between the human society and the exploitation of natural resources of geological origin; 3) the principal economic mechanisms which govern the exploitation of an ore deposit and 4) the main processes induced by the mining activity on the surrounding geological, hydrological, biological and antropic environment. The second part of the course is aimed to provide the knowledge of the main mineralogical and geological (genesis and deposits) features, as well as the most important uses of some industrial minerals and metals.
The third part of the course deals with basic concept related to geoheritage and geotourism and with their use for education and disclosure.
All parts are equipped with real examples that illustrate theory.
The third part of the course deals with basic concept related to geoheritage and geotourism and with their use for education and disclosure.
All parts are equipped with real examples that illustrate theory.
Expected learning outcomes
Understanding of the basic concepts of economic geology reported above.
Capability of evaluating the importance for the society, the prospection, exploitation and separation methods, and the genetic context of the main mineral resources.
Capability of determining the main factors of environmental risk induced by the exploitation of mineral resources.
Capability to use for education and disclosure the national and international geologic patrimony through concepts related to geoheritage and the different ways it is promoted.
Capability of evaluating the importance for the society, the prospection, exploitation and separation methods, and the genetic context of the main mineral resources.
Capability of determining the main factors of environmental risk induced by the exploitation of mineral resources.
Capability to use for education and disclosure the national and international geologic patrimony through concepts related to geoheritage and the different ways it is promoted.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part I: Introduction
· Introduction to geological resources: definitions, concepts, classifications
· Evolution of geological resources
· Geological resources and the environment
· Geological resources and teaching
Part II
· Geological resources types: description, uses and environmental impact
· The "geomaterials"
o Cements and ceramics: raw materials, production processes and environmental interactions, historical and cultural relevance
o Metals
· Resources for energy: oil and hydrocarbons
Part III (3CFU) Strategies for scientific dissemination and teaching
· Teaching geological resources
o Geological resources and ministry guidelines
o State of the art: the Earth Sciences in the Italian teaching system
o Geological resources: acquiring skills
· Communication of Earth Sciences
o Communication through the medias
o Field trip activities for communicating and disseminating
· General concepts (different kind of users etc)
· Field trip activities for understanding the geological resources
· Field trip activities for understanding the landscape as a resource 4h
o Tools for disseminating and teaching the geological resources
· Samples
· Maps
· Communication and teaching materials
o Geological resources and the lab
o Geological resources in the world
o The local background: Italy and Lombardy
Field trip activities: 2 excursions
· Mine or quarry
· Geo-heritage site
· Introduction to geological resources: definitions, concepts, classifications
· Evolution of geological resources
· Geological resources and the environment
· Geological resources and teaching
Part II
· Geological resources types: description, uses and environmental impact
· The "geomaterials"
o Cements and ceramics: raw materials, production processes and environmental interactions, historical and cultural relevance
o Metals
· Resources for energy: oil and hydrocarbons
Part III (3CFU) Strategies for scientific dissemination and teaching
· Teaching geological resources
o Geological resources and ministry guidelines
o State of the art: the Earth Sciences in the Italian teaching system
o Geological resources: acquiring skills
· Communication of Earth Sciences
o Communication through the medias
o Field trip activities for communicating and disseminating
· General concepts (different kind of users etc)
· Field trip activities for understanding the geological resources
· Field trip activities for understanding the landscape as a resource 4h
o Tools for disseminating and teaching the geological resources
· Samples
· Maps
· Communication and teaching materials
o Geological resources and the lab
o Geological resources in the world
o The local background: Italy and Lombardy
Field trip activities: 2 excursions
· Mine or quarry
· Geo-heritage site
Prerequisites for admission
Basic concepts of Mineralogy and Petrography
Teaching methods
Lectures in classroom and practical examples both in classroom and on the field
Teaching Resources
Lectures materials prepared by the teachers and available at the Ariel platform web site: https://georisorseeambiente.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx.
Suggested textbook for deepening knowledge of the course topics (optional): Mineral Resources, by Manuel Bustillo Revuelta (2018), Springer
Suggested textbook for deepening knowledge of the course topics (optional): Mineral Resources, by Manuel Bustillo Revuelta (2018), Springer
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral
GEO/09 - MINING RESOURCES, MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 12 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Grieco Giovanni, Lotti Paolo
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
send an e-mail for appointments
Via Botticelli 23 or videocall on MS Teams