Ore Deposits and Sustainability
A.Y. 2023/2024
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.
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
FIRST PART
Resume of main prerequisites for the course.
Basic concepts on sustainability for supply of raw materials and on environmental sustainability.
Focus on sustainability subjects: globalization and increase in mining production, diversification, market instability, geopolitical instability, focus on Critical Raw Materials.
Classification of Ore Deposits.
SECOND PART
Characterization of some of the main classes of ore deposits: the following list is a basic example and could be modified according to the course variables.
Ore deposits - main geological models of ore genesis and their relationships with the evolution of the Earth's crust and the different geodynamic settings: (a) Ore deposition in convergent and collisional settings (deposits related to arc and orogenic magmatism, tectonics and hydrothermal activity: porphyry, hypo-epithermal vein-type deposits skarn, greisen, etc.; deposits related to metamorphism and deformation, etc).; (b) Ore deposition in extensional settings and related to magmatism, tectonics, hydrothermal activity, sedimentation, etc. at variuos stages of crustal rifting: deposits related to formation of oceanic crust, back-arc rifting-related massive sulphide deposits; deposits related to anorogenic magmatism (mafic-ultramafic magmatism, layered complexes, peralkaline magmatism, ); deposits related to basin sedimentation and/or submarine exhalative activity and to tectonics. (c) Mineral deposits related to interaction between diagenesis and orogens. (d) Mineral deposits related to surficial processes (weathering, alluvial-clastic sedimentation, etc.). (e) deposits related to marine sedimentary and volcano-sedimentary environments: Banded Iron Formations, manganese deposits. (f) Chromium and PGE deposits in layered intrusions and ophiolites (g) Nickel deposits related to komatiites, astroblems and ultramafic intrusive bodies. (h) deposits related to weathering in tropical climates: bauxites and lateritic nickel. (i) diamond deposits in kimberlites and lamproites.
THIRD PART
Concepts of environmental sustainability: factors affecting mining extraction environmental sustainability, bioavailability, risk analysis and management in mining, Italian environmental legislation and risk in mining, the Acid Mine Drainage processes, procedures for evaluation of AMD, main remediation techniques, cynetic tests
FOURTH PART
Case studies both for mining and environmental risk
Resume of main prerequisites for the course.
Basic concepts on sustainability for supply of raw materials and on environmental sustainability.
Focus on sustainability subjects: globalization and increase in mining production, diversification, market instability, geopolitical instability, focus on Critical Raw Materials.
Classification of Ore Deposits.
SECOND PART
Characterization of some of the main classes of ore deposits: the following list is a basic example and could be modified according to the course variables.
Ore deposits - main geological models of ore genesis and their relationships with the evolution of the Earth's crust and the different geodynamic settings: (a) Ore deposition in convergent and collisional settings (deposits related to arc and orogenic magmatism, tectonics and hydrothermal activity: porphyry, hypo-epithermal vein-type deposits skarn, greisen, etc.; deposits related to metamorphism and deformation, etc).; (b) Ore deposition in extensional settings and related to magmatism, tectonics, hydrothermal activity, sedimentation, etc. at variuos stages of crustal rifting: deposits related to formation of oceanic crust, back-arc rifting-related massive sulphide deposits; deposits related to anorogenic magmatism (mafic-ultramafic magmatism, layered complexes, peralkaline magmatism, ); deposits related to basin sedimentation and/or submarine exhalative activity and to tectonics. (c) Mineral deposits related to interaction between diagenesis and orogens. (d) Mineral deposits related to surficial processes (weathering, alluvial-clastic sedimentation, etc.). (e) deposits related to marine sedimentary and volcano-sedimentary environments: Banded Iron Formations, manganese deposits. (f) Chromium and PGE deposits in layered intrusions and ophiolites (g) Nickel deposits related to komatiites, astroblems and ultramafic intrusive bodies. (h) deposits related to weathering in tropical climates: bauxites and lateritic nickel. (i) diamond deposits in kimberlites and lamproites.
THIRD PART
Concepts of environmental sustainability: factors affecting mining extraction environmental sustainability, bioavailability, risk analysis and management in mining, Italian environmental legislation and risk in mining, the Acid Mine Drainage processes, procedures for evaluation of AMD, main remediation techniques, cynetic tests
FOURTH PART
Case studies both for mining and environmental risk
Prerequisites for admission
The course is designed to be attended by students with general knowledge in Earth Sciences and specific knowledge in georesources. The former comprise: basic concepts of mineralogy, geochemistry, petrography, tectonics and sedimentology. The latter comprise: basic knowledge on georseouces definitions and basic concepts such like exploitation, beneficiation, exploration, evaluation.
Teaching methods
The following methodologies will be adopted: lectures, discussion of case studies, interactive lectures videos, autonomous reading of scientific articles, GIS images.
Teaching Resources
Material provided by teacher in pdf or ppt format, scientific articles, geologic and metallogenic maps, the following 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; Kogel - Industrial minerals and rocks - SME.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam. The knowledge required for understanding of principal characters of ore deposit types that are part of the course are required, together with correctly linking these to geological and geodynamic contexts, and to economic and social contexts, especially in the frame of sustainability and circular economy.
GEO/09 - MINING RESOURCES, MINERALOGIC AND PETROGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Grieco Giovanni
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)