Understanding the feed to processing operations is key to maximizing cash flow (economic value). Unfortunately the subject of economic geology is not covered within most undergraduate programs preparing students who enter the mining industry as process engineers. The good news is that there are reference materials available to help people learn these subjects. Some good examples are provided below:
- A video course (YouTube)
- EduMine course sequences.
- Reference Books
- Technical literature references for starting further detailed study of the particular ore deposits an individual is working with.
What materials and processes have you as process engineers use to learn about orebody characteristics relevant to process performance, design, operation?
Video Course
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 1 Introduction 32:35
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 2 Layered Complexes, Kimberlites 41:47
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 3 Porphyries, Skarns & IOCG 39:24
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 4 Mesothermal and Greenstone Lode Gold 36:56
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 5 Epithermal Deposits 34:46
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 6 Carlin Gold Deposits 43:42
Sprott Group, Ore Deposits 101 Part 7 Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides and Sedex 33:29
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 8 Witwatersrand Gold Deposits 48:28
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 9 Uranium 44:48
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 10 Exploration Process 52 :55
Sprott Group, ORE DEPOSITS 101 Part 11 Mineral Reserves, Resources and Estimation 43:08
EduMine Course
Economic Geology
Exploration and Mining Geology: 1. The Geologic Baseline, 2. The Economic Framework, ,3. Surface Geologic Design, Understanding Geologic Data and Reserve Estimation, 5. The role of the Geologist in Exploration and Mining
Reference Books
Guilbert, J.M. and Park, C.F., The Geology of Ore Deposits, reissued 2007.
Robb, L., Introduction to Ore Forming Processes, 2005.
Additional Recommended References
Guilbert, J.M. and Park, C.F., Jr., The Geology of Ore Deposits, W.H. Freeman and Company, 1986.
https://www.amazon.com/Geology-Ore-Deposits-John-Guilbert/dp/1577664957
Arndt, N.T., et al., Mantle-Derived Magmas and Magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) Deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 5-23.
Barnes, S-J. and Lightfoot, P.C., Formation of magmatic nickel-sulfide ore deposits and processes affecting their copper and platinum-group element contents, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 179-213.
Candela, P.A., et al., Magmatic Processes in the Development of Porphyry-Type Ore Systems, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 25-37.
Cathles, L.M., et al., Fluid Flow and Petroleum and Mineral Hesources in the Upper « 20-km) Continental Crust, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 77-110.
Cawthorn, R.G., et al., Platinum Group Element, Chromium, and Vanadium Deposits in Mafic and Ultramafic Rocks, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 215-249.
Cerny, P., et al., Granite-Related Ore Deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 337-370.
Cline, J.S., Carlin-Type Gold Deposits in Nevada: Critical Geologic Characteristics and Viable Models, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 451-484.
Clout, J.M.F., et al., Precambrian Iron Formations and Iron Formation-Hosted Iron Ore Deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 643-679.
Franklin, J.M., et al., Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 523-560.
Freyssinet, P., et al., Ore-Forming Processes Related to Lateritic Weathering, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 681-722.
Frimmel, H.E., et al., The Formation and Preservation of the Witwatersrand Goldfields, the World’s Largest Gold Province, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 769-797.
Garnett, R.H.T., et al., Placer Deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 813-843.
Goldfarb, R.J., et al., Distribution. Character, and Genesis of Gold Deposits in Metamorphic Terranes, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 407-450.
Hitzman, M., et al., The Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper Ore System, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 609-642.
Large, R.R., et al., Stratiform and Strata-Bound Zn-Pb-Ag Deposits in Proterozoic Sedimentary Basins, Northern Australia, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 931-963.
Law, J.D.M., et al., Hydrothermal Replacement Model for Witwatersrand Gold, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 799-811.
Leach, D.L., et al., Sediment-Hosted Lead-Zinc Deposits in Earth History, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 593-625.
Meinert, L.D., World skarn deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 299-366.
Seedorff, E., et al., Porphyry deposits: Characteristics and origin of hypogene features, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 251-298.
Selley, D., A New Look at the Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 965-1000.
Simmons, S.F., et al., Geological Characteristics of Epithermal Precious and Base Metal Deposits, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 485-522.
Williams, P.J., et al., Iron oxide copper-gold deposits: Geology, space-time distribution, and possible modes of origin, Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, 2005, 371-405.