2023
Geological and Mining Exploration
Name: Geological and Mining Exploration
Code: GEO13476M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geological Engineering
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The theoretical component of this course's main goal is the study of the fundamentals and methods of geological prospecting. Knowing how to plan and execute a survey campaign is another goal of this discipline. It is the discipline that deals with this cycle in the curriculum for the first time in an objective geological prospecting. With this aim is to provide students a more comprehensive training in this field.
The practical part comprises a small survey campaign with strategic study of heavy minerals and execution of a survey report. In addition, Portuguese examples are analysed for geochemical anomalies cases in order to students contact with the problems of interpretation that arise in geochemical exploration. The use of computer systems and information technology is extensive, and implemented in the practical work
The practical part comprises a small survey campaign with strategic study of heavy minerals and execution of a survey report. In addition, Portuguese examples are analysed for geochemical anomalies cases in order to students contact with the problems of interpretation that arise in geochemical exploration. The use of computer systems and information technology is extensive, and implemented in the practical work
Contents
- Objectives and scope of the prospection: Concepts of resources and reserves, general notes of mineral economy and mining legislation.
- Phases and planning of a survey project: Strategic exploration, tactical exploration and mineral deposit evaluation.
- Remote analysis: Remote detection and multispectral images analysis. Acquisition and image processing with drone.
- Geological prospection: Mineralometric studies. Thematic cartography. Guide levels and geological models. Survey trenches.
- Geophysical prospection: Geophysical methods and their applications. Meaning of geophysical data.
- Geochemical prospection: Objective and planning of a geochemical survey. Concepts of geochemical mobility and dispersion. Background and anomalies.
- Computer graphics: Analysis, data interpretation and construction of 3D geological models.
- Drilling and evaluation: Drilling analysis and log construction. Calculation of contents and volumes.
- Case studies of exploration/exploitation in Portugal.
- Phases and planning of a survey project: Strategic exploration, tactical exploration and mineral deposit evaluation.
- Remote analysis: Remote detection and multispectral images analysis. Acquisition and image processing with drone.
- Geological prospection: Mineralometric studies. Thematic cartography. Guide levels and geological models. Survey trenches.
- Geophysical prospection: Geophysical methods and their applications. Meaning of geophysical data.
- Geochemical prospection: Objective and planning of a geochemical survey. Concepts of geochemical mobility and dispersion. Background and anomalies.
- Computer graphics: Analysis, data interpretation and construction of 3D geological models.
- Drilling and evaluation: Drilling analysis and log construction. Calculation of contents and volumes.
- Case studies of exploration/exploitation in Portugal.
Teaching Methods
In lectures the theoretical concepts for understanding the different prospecting methods will be provided. In practical classes students solve exercises and test geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques. In field work students make a small survey campaign with study of heavy minerals and observe the execution of a survey campaign carried out by specialists from mining sector.
Each student does a review work (monograph) on energy resources. For this purpose, it will be used to b-on platform (Online Knowledge Library) for searching and Moodle platform for work supervision.
The classes will be presented by members of the University of Évora, occasionally being invited external specialist to teach specific topics as seminars.
The evaluation will consider practical activities reports (40%), writing a review paper (40%) and its oral presentation (20%).
Each student does a review work (monograph) on energy resources. For this purpose, it will be used to b-on platform (Online Knowledge Library) for searching and Moodle platform for work supervision.
The classes will be presented by members of the University of Évora, occasionally being invited external specialist to teach specific topics as seminars.
The evaluation will consider practical activities reports (40%), writing a review paper (40%) and its oral presentation (20%).
Teaching Staff
- Joaquim Luís Galego Lopes
- Jorge Manuel Costa Pedro [responsible]
