Mineral Resources and Environmental Interactions
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Mineral resources and deposits
· Basic notions of mineral resources: definitions
· Geological and economic processes governing the mining industry
· Mineral resources in the contemporary society: historical evolution of the relevance of copper and lithium, two case studies
· Processes of ore enrichment: types, wastes and risks of environemental pollution
· Environmetal impact of the mining activity:
o speciation and bio-availability of the polluting element/compound
o acid mine drainage
o Remediation methods
· Management of the environmental impact of the mining activity
· The italian laws regulating the mining activity
· Case studies
The principal mineral resources for our society
· The mineral resources for the concretes: raw materials, mining extraction in Italy, enviromental pollution processes.
· Sulphur: a case study of historical evolution of a mineral resource (with historical and social relevance for Italy) and of applied circural economy.
· Metals - Raw materials, geological features, applications, environmental and historical-cultural features.
· Energy resources: fossil fuels and alternative sources.
Dissemination and teaching of the mineral resources
Mineral resources in the framework of geoheritage
Rehabilitation of dismissed mining sites with case studies
Teaching and dissemination projects
Exercises
Simulation of exam questions
Introductory lectures on daily excursions
Excursions
To be defined. One or two daily excursions at active or dismissed mining sites.
· Basic notions of mineral resources: definitions
· Geological and economic processes governing the mining industry
· Mineral resources in the contemporary society: historical evolution of the relevance of copper and lithium, two case studies
· Processes of ore enrichment: types, wastes and risks of environemental pollution
· Environmetal impact of the mining activity:
o speciation and bio-availability of the polluting element/compound
o acid mine drainage
o Remediation methods
· Management of the environmental impact of the mining activity
· The italian laws regulating the mining activity
· Case studies
The principal mineral resources for our society
· The mineral resources for the concretes: raw materials, mining extraction in Italy, enviromental pollution processes.
· Sulphur: a case study of historical evolution of a mineral resource (with historical and social relevance for Italy) and of applied circural economy.
· Metals - Raw materials, geological features, applications, environmental and historical-cultural features.
· Energy resources: fossil fuels and alternative sources.
Dissemination and teaching of the mineral resources
Mineral resources in the framework of geoheritage
Rehabilitation of dismissed mining sites with case studies
Teaching and dissemination projects
Exercises
Simulation of exam questions
Introductory lectures on daily excursions
Excursions
To be defined. One or two daily excursions at active or dismissed mining sites.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic notions acquired from the courses of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geology
Teaching methods
Will be adopted: lectures, discussion of case studies, exercises (especially at the end of the course using online tools as PollEverywher followed by collegial discussions), one or two daily excursions at active or dismissed mining areas.
Teaching Resources
Notes and lectures provided by the teachers on the Ariel webpage of the course and on the MS Teams platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral interview.
Evaluation criteria: ability to organize in the spoken laguage the acquired knowledge, ability of critical thinking in front of a problem or a case study, competence and accuracy of the adopted lexis, consistency and accuracy of the acquired knowledge.
Evaluation score: from 18/30 up to 30/30 cum laude.
Evaluation criteria: ability to organize in the spoken laguage the acquired knowledge, ability of critical thinking in front of a problem or a case study, competence and accuracy of the adopted lexis, consistency and accuracy of the acquired knowledge.
Evaluation score: from 18/30 up to 30/30 cum laude.
GEO/09 - MINING RESOURCES, MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professors:
Grieco Giovanni, Lotti Paolo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
send an e-mail for appointments