Unique No. 55200
Lecture: Monday 3:00-6:00 (we probably will not meet the full three hours most days), GEO 3.204
Lab: Friday 9:00-11:00, GEO 3.108 and GEO 2.108Instructors: Dr. Richard Kyle (GEO 3.316D) Phone: 471-4351; rkyle@mail.utexas.edu; Dr. Thomas Serenko (GEO 3.312)
Grading:
(1) Laboratory/Homework Exercises/Quizzes 50 % (2) Writing Assignments 25 % (3) Intrasemester Exam 25 % Course Description:
Geology 386E provides an introduction to the geologic and economic factors that result in the development of commercial concentrations of non-energy mineral resources. Course content varies depending on the interests and backgrounds of the students each semester (course may be repeated for credit). Emphasis will be placed on the descriptive geology and origin of economic mineral concentrations within the context of their overall geologic settings. The geologic and economic nature of metallic and industrial mineral commodities in both "hard rock" and "soft rock" geologic environments will be discussed. Related topics to be discussed include importance of mineral resources to the global economy, mineral exploration and evaluation, and mineral extraction and processing. Lab exercises typically involve representative sample suites from important ore deposits worldwide, with emphasis on features that affect their discovery, evaluation, development, and processing. An introduction to software used in exploration, evaluation, and mine planning will be provided. Two research papers are required: a brief commodity report and a longer report dealing with a geologic, engineering, or economic topic for a major ore deposit or type of mineral resource. These papers can be directed toward potential or existing graduate research projects.
Geology 386E also serves as a core course in the Energy and Mineral Resources Program of the Jackson School of Geosciences.
An intrasemester field trip is anticipated to examine the geology, exploration, processing, and environmental issues related to minerals production.
Textbook:
Robb, Laurence (2005) Introduction to Ore-forming Processes: Blackwell Publishers can be viewed as an optional text for the course. Suggested readings are indicated on the syllabus; additional readings will be placed on reserve in the Walter Geology Library.
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