Ore Deposit Exploration
The Department of Earth and Environmental Science at New Mexico Tech
offers a Masters Degree in Geology with specialization in ore deposit exploration.
The program is designed to offer students both practical and theoretical
aspects of exploration.
Description
In today's industry, successful explorationists need to be well-rounded
geologists versed in many of the various facets of the exploration business.
For this purpose, students will receive instruction in diverse areas including
ore genesis, core logging, prospect evaluation, mineral economics, ore
reserve calculations, ore deposit mapping, industrial minerals, and geochemical
exploration. Classes will involve field trips to mines of the region where
possible. Elective courses provide the student the opportunity to specialize
in either ore genesis, mineral exploration, or industrial minerals.
New Mexico Tech has an active SEG
student chapter which organizes field trips and brings in speakers
on ore deposits. The faculty is active in SEG as well as with various faculty
having served as SEG News letter editors, submitted newsletter contributions,
and served on committees.
Course Requirements
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GEOL 561, 562, Ore Genesis I and II (6 credits): The origins of
sedimentary, hydrothermal and magmatic ore deposits are studied using petrologic
and geochemical techniques such as fluid inclusions, mineral equilibria,
trace and minor element partitioning, and isotopes.
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ME 421, 521, Prospect Evaluation I and II (6 credits): Practical
aspects of property evaluation including mining methods, mineral economics,
ore reserve techniques, geo-metallurgy, and environmental concerns.
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ME 522, Ore Deposit Mapping (3 credits): Field mapping and interpretation
of salient features of selected mineral deposits. Practice in report and
map preparation.
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GEOC 431, Geochemical Exploration (3 credits): Techniques of trace
element exploration including a field study usually conducted on a property
with an ongoing exploration program.
-
GEOL 551, Industrial Minerals (3 credits): Basic concepts of exploration,
production, and end use of industrial minerals. The complex interactions
between economics, transportation, and marketing.
Thirty credits are required for graduation.
-
Thesis Option: 24 class credits and 6 thesis credits
-
Non-thesis Option: 27 class credits and 3 independent sutdy credits
Other Selected
Courses Available
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Ore Deposits Field Trip (2-3 credits)
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Fluid Inclusion Analysis (2-3 credits)
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Stable Isotope Geochemistry (3 credits)
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Argon/Argon Geochronology (3 credits)
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Fluid-Mineral Equilibria (3 credits)
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Mine Remidiation (3 credits)
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Ore Deposits Seminar (3 credits)
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Geophysical Exploration (Electrical Methods) (3 credits)
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Hydrology (3 credits)
-
Volcanology (3 credits)
In addition, certain courses will be offered as two-week short courses.
Course Schedule
The first students will be entering in the Fall of 2001. The typical
course schedule is listed below.
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Fall 2001: Geochemical Exploration, Ore Deposit Mapping
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Spring 2002: Prospect Evaluation II, Ore Genesis I, Field Trip
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Fall 2002: Prospect Evaluation I, Ore Genesis II
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Spring 2003: Industrial Minerals, Field Trip
Field Trips
Field trips are important in developing
the student's field and observational skills and as illustrations of theories
learned in class. In addition, students develop contacts in industry, invaluable
when seeking employment.
Given our location in the Southwest, we are able to emphasize field
trips to mines and mineral districts. Classes regularly visit the porphyry
deposits of New Mexico and Arizona and deposits in Northern Mexico, as
well as small areas closer to home.
We also organize foreign trips to see deposits around the world. In
the last few years, we have had trips to look at gold and diamond deposits
in Ghana, porphyry and
epithermal deposits in Chile and Peru, base-metal mines in Ireland, and
gold mines in Quebec. See more field
trips co-sponsored by the SEG local student chapter.
Participating Faculty
Dr. David I. Norman, Department of
Earth and Environmental Science
Dr. Norman teaches ore genesis and geochemical exploration. His specialty
is the study of gas compositions of ore fluids, geothermal systems, arsenic
geochemistry, and placer deposits.
Dr. William X. Chavez, Jr., Department
of Mineral Engineering
Dr. Chavez teaches ore deposit mapping and prospect evaluation. His
specialty is the study of porphyry copper deposits and, in particular,
supergene processes that concentrate ore.
Dr. Andrew Campbell, Department
of Earth and Environmental Science
Dr. Campbell teaches mineralogy and geochemistry courses. His specialty
is the application of fluid inclusion and stable isotopes to ore deposits.
Dr. Virgil
Lueth,
New Mexico Bureau of
Geology and Mineral Resources
Dr. Lueth specializes in ore deposit mineralogy and the geochemistry
of jarosite.
James Barker,
New
Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
Mr. Barker teaches industrial minerals. His specialty is the industrial
mineral potential of New Mexico.
We are in the process of establishing an industrial advisory committee
to advise in curriculum planning.
Financial Support
Applicants to this program are eligible for Research and Teaching Assistantships
from the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, as well as Fellowships
from the endowed Donald Yardley, Barkley Wykof, and Charles Park fellowship
funds.
For More Information
Contact
Dr. Andrew R. Campbell
Phone (505) 835-5327
FAX (505) 835-6436
email: campbell@nmt.edu
Dr. David I. Norman
Phone (505) 835-5404
FAX (505) 835-6436
email: dnorman@nmt.edu
Dr. William X. Chavez, Jr.
Phone (505) 835-5317
FAX (505) 835-6436
email: wxchavez@nmt.edu