Ore Geology and Mineral Prospecting

A.Y. 2020/2021
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
GEO/09
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course is aimed to provide basic knowledge about the following topics: Providing basic knowledge on the following subjects: (a) genetic processes of ore minerals, correlated to their geological context; (b) geographical distribution of ore deposits, correlation with plate tectonics processes and effects on economic geology; (c) knowledge useful for planning mineral exploration in order to find new ore deposits or to better optimize exploitation; (d) knowledge useful for assessment and planning of mineral beneficiation processes.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to recognize the essential geological, mineralogical, textural and ore elements that characterize the main types of ore deposits. These competences are the basics for the work as an ore geologist and mining geologist. Students will also acquire basic knowledge on economic geology and beneficiation processes.
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
Online lessons
Course syllabus
The aim of the teaching is to introdcue general economic aspects of mining industry, cover a wide range of ore deposit typologies, to correlate them to geological processes at different scales and to deal with principles, technics and strategies for exploration and economic evaluation of ore deposits.
List of subjects:
General part - Definition of "ore deposit" typologies, geometries and textures; mineralogical associations and useful metals. Classification of ore deposits.
Mineral deposits:
Mineral deposits related to sedimentary processes
Iron deposits of Banded Iron Formation type
Sedimentary manganese deposits
Diamond placers

Residual deposits
Lateritic nickel
Bauxites (aluminum)

Magmatic mineral deposits
Layered intrusion type chromitites
Ophiolite chromitites
Magmatic magnetite
Sudbury type nickel deposits
Jinchuan type nickel deposits
Komatiitic nickel deposits
Kimberlitic diamonds

Environmental concern related to active and abandoned mining areas
Factors affecting geoenvironmental behaviour of mineral deposits
Bioavailability
Environmental risk analysis in mining areas
Italian environmental legislation and with reference with mining activity
Acid Mine Drainage processes
Kinetic tests
Environmental classification of mineral deposits
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge and competences acquired with bachelor degree in Geology. Specifically all the programs of the courses of "Georisorse" and "Materie prime e industria" are prerequisites for the present teaching.
Teaching methods
48 hours of frontal lessons. Teachers promote and welcomes an active partecipation to the classes, thorough questions, expression of doubt, examples or personal experiences.
Teaching Resources
Lecture notes released by teachers, scientific articles and websites (e.g. USGS), metallogenic maps
Reference textbooks: Robb - Introduction To Ore-Forming Processes - Blackwell Science; Evans - Ore Geology and Industrial Minerals: An Introduction. Blackwell Science; Pirajno - Hydrothermal processes and Mineral Systems - Springer
Assessment methods and Criteria
The verification consists in an oral exam based on the subjects debated during the lessons and present in the lecture notes released by the teachers. Discussion during oral exam can start from a classical question, a chart, or a diagram used during the lessons. It is also possible that discussion starts from a geological, geographical or metallogenic map. The aim is to test student preparation, with focus on her/his ability to comprehend and illustrate the links between the multiple aspects of the discipline. In particular among the basic geologic processes and the more technical and applicative knowledge necessary for the exploitation of the georesources. Links that are widely illustrated during the classes.
GEO/09 - MINING RESOURCES, MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Grieco Giovanni
Professor(s)