Insights in Ore Geology

School  Natural Sciences
Academic Unit
 Geology Department
Level of Studies
 Undergraduate
Course Code
 GEO_711E
Εξάμηνο σπουδών  7ο
Course Title
 Insights in Ore Geology
Independent Teaching Activities
 Theory lectures, Tutorial and lab exercises
Weekly Teaching Hours
 2 lect./1 lab/1 T 
Credits  5
Course Type
 Scientific area and skills development
Prerequisite Courses
 Mineralogy, Petrography, Geochemistry, Petrology, Ore geology, Coal Geology
Language of Instruction & Examinations
 Greek
Is the Course offered to Erasmus Students
 Yes in English
Course Web-Page (URL)  https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/GEO363/
Learning Outcomes

This course is a selection module and an insight to ore geology. The modules covered include genetic models of the Fe-V-Ti systems, scarn mineralizations and metallurgical coals. Emphasis is given to the application of various laboratory examinations and data evaluation for ore’s processing studies.

The Teaching goals include:

  • Knowledge of the modern research methods for assessing the physicochemical conditions of ore-forming processes, as well as of the laboratory parameters for financial evaluation of ore deposits; pros and cons of each technique.
  • Life Cyrcle Analysis of ore processing techniques, data acquisition for mineral liberation studies. Optimization techniques for minerals recovery
  • Ability in evaluation and interpretation of mineralogical, petrographical and geochemical data, as well as in presenting the studies in useful format for the mining and processing engineers.
General Competences
  • Search, analyze and synthesizedataand information,using thenecessary technologies
  • Independent work
  • Group work
  • Work in international environment
  • Work in multidisciplinary environment
  • Development of new research ideas
  • Work design and management
  • Respect of natural environment
  • Exercise of criticism and self-criticism
  • Promote free, creative and inductive thinking
Syllabus
  1. Mineralogical data of ore deposits, liberation of metalic minerals, textures under the microscope.
  2. Metals in metallurgical processes, studies on tailings, characteristics of concentrates, balance calculations and metals distribution in various processing stages.
  3. Evaluation of industrial minerals (e.g. wollastonite, micas) for modern industrial applications.
  4. Principle characteristics of metallurgical coals and the respective produced cokes.
  5. Evaluation of critical metals (e.g. V, Nb, Ta, Y, Zr), recovery and modern industrial applications
  6. Economic Geology data in relation to processing and metallurgical techniques.
  7. Economic Geology data in relation to environmental studies related to the extraction industry (e.g. Acid Rock Drainage, Neutralization).
Delivery  Direct face to face lectures in class and in the Labs of Petrographical Examinations and Geochemical Lab.
Use of Information & Communication Technology
  • Usage of IT (power point, pdf) and blackboard. Lab exercises on maps and drilling
  • Support of tutoring through e-class platform.
Teaching Methods
 
Activity Semester workload
Theory Lectures  2 x 13=26
Tutorial lectures and exercises 1 x 13=13
Practical Lab Courses  1 x 13=13
Group paper-report 23
Autonomous study 50
 Total number of hours for the Course 125 
 Student Performance Evaluation

Α. Written final exam test (70%) that includes:

  1. Multiple choise questions
  2. Question of short answers

iii.            Synthesis of short essays

  1. Understanding and interpreting geochemical/petrographical data of mining companies
  2. Designing of lab tests
  3. Interpreting minerals liberation data.

Β. Oral exam on Practical issues (20%) that includes:

  1. Interpretation of metals processing data
  2. Description of textures and fabrics under the microscope

iii.            Designing of lab tests for sustainable mineral extraction.

Γ. Group Presentation of working paper (10%)

Team Oral presentation of a subject within Economic Geology.

Evaluation criteria:

Students have the oportunity of self-evaluation with material provided to them through eclass.
Attached Bibliography
  1. Petruk, W., 2000. Applied Mineralogy in the mining industry. Elsevier, 287p.

Journals

  1. Economic Geology Journal http://www.segweb.org/