Exploration Geology

Description of the contents Ore-forming processes. Origin and main characteristics of the mineralizing fluids. Classifications of ore deposits and genetic models. Examples of ore deposits related to intracratonic magmatism; ore deposits related to mantle basic magmatism; deposits related to alkaline magmatism; deposits related to melting of metasomatized sucontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM); ore deposits related to intracontinental rifting; ore deposits related to divergent margin tectonics; ore deposits related to convergent margin tectonics; sediment-hosted deposits. Economic importance and industrial application of base metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, etc.), alkaline metals (Be, Cs, etc.) precious metals (Au, Ag, Pt, PGE, etc.), transition metals (Nb, Ta, Mo, W, etc.) and REE. The use of stones. Physical-mechanical properties of stones. Evaluation of the quality of stones. Alteration. Use of industrial stones. Laboratory characterization of stones by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, FTIR, chemical analysis. In the first part of the course we will discuss the contents related to the formation processes of ore deposits, depositional classifications and genetic models. Examples of the main types of ore deposits included in the relative geodynamic context will be illustrated. In the second part of the course we will discuss the contents related to industrial rocks and minerals, to the various types of quarries and to the main techniques of exploitation and processing of materials. The main environmental problems of mining activities will also be addressed. The third part of the course will be devoted to laboratory exercises for the recognition in reflected light of the main metallic minerals and their paragenesis.

From all previous courses: Recognition of the main igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. From Chemistry: Nomenclature, chemical reactions, periodic properties of the elements. Concepts of oxidation number and electronegativity. Ionic, molecular, covalent, metallic solids. Liquid state and solutions, chemical equilibrium in aqueous solutions, pH, acids and bases. Chemical and physical parameters that influence the solubility. Key chemical characteristics of the most common elements. From Geochemistry: Composition and chemical differentiation of the Earth. Abundances of the elements in the earth's crust. Geochemical classification of the elements. Behavior of the elements in magmatic systems. Rock alteration in the supergene environment. Isotope geochemistry and applications. From Mineralogy: Definition of ore. Macroscopic recognition of the major minerals. Solid solutions, polymorphism, P-T diagrams. Concepts of systematic mineralogy and main classifications. Basic minerals of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. From Petrography: Internal structure of the Earth and its chemical and mineralogical composition. Rock cycle. General characteristics of magmas. Magma genesis. Magmatic differentiation. Kinetics of magmatic crystallization. Mineralogical composition of the plutonic and volcanic rocks and their classification. Main arrangements of plutonic and volcanic rocks. Petrogenetic processes and geodynamic environments. General characteristics of metamorphism. Temperature and pressure of metamorphism. Types of metamorphism. Classification of metamorphic rocks. From Geology I: Composition and classification of sedimentary rocks. Main depositional environments.

Suggested reading material ZUFFARDI P. – GIACIMENTOLOGIA E PROSPEZIONE MINERARIA, Pitagora Editrice, Bologna. SASSANO G.P., CARCANO C. – GEOLOGIA ECONOMICA E GIACIMENTI MINERARI, Chiandetti ed., Udine. PARK C.F., MAC DIARMID R.A. – GIACIMENTI MINERARI, Ed. italiana a cura di B. De Vivo e F. Ippolito, Liguori ed., Napoli. EVANS A.M. – AN INTRODUCTION TO ORE GEOLOGY, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Boston Palo Alto Melbourne. PRIMAVORI P. – Pianeta pietra, G. Zusi Editore. IPPOLITO F., NICOTERA P., LUCINI P., CIVITA M., DE RISO R., – Geologia Tecnica, ISEDI Petrini Editore MANNING D.A.C. – Introduction to industrial minerals, Chapman & Hall. VELDE B. – Introduction to clay minerals, Chapman & Hall. FORNAIO M., LOVERA E., SACERDOTE I. – La coltivazione delle cave ed il recupero ambientale, Politeko Edizioni. CARR D.D., ed., Industrial Minerals and Rocks, 6th edition: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Littleton, Colorado (USA). Scientific articles from “Economic Geology” e “Mineralium Deposita”. Power Point files of the teacher.

The teaching method adopted includes the combination of lectures and exercises under the reflected light microscope for the acquisition of the basic principles of ore minerals. During the lectures will also be used films related of the main ore deposits and the main exploitation techniques in the quarry treated during the course.

Attendance is not compulsory, but assiduous participation by the student is recommended, especially in laboratory exercises.

The assessment of the actual achievement by the student is through an oral test with open stimulus and open answer. The determination of the final grade takes into account the logic followed by the student in answering the questions, the adequacy of the answer in relation to the skills that the student assumes he/she has acquired and the use of an appropriate language. The student must demonstrate that he/she has acquired a basic knowledge of the topics related to the relationships between ore deposits and their geodynamic environments, as well as to the main techniques of quarrying and processing of materials of economic interest. Furthermore, he/she must be able to apply the acquired knowledge in a competent and reflective way. In order to obtain the maximum score, the student must demonstrate excellent knowledge of all the subjects dealt with in the course, have studied the focal points in depth and be able to link these topics in a coherent and logical way.

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The teaching method adopted includes the combination of lectures and exercises under the reflected light microscope for the acquisition of the basic principles of ore minerals. During the lectures will also be used films related of the main ore deposits and the main exploitation techniques in the quarry treated during the course.