2024
Mineral Resources
Name: Mineral Resources
Code: GEO12584L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
This training intends to confer skills on geological processes and their role as a source of raw materials necessary for modern civilization.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Provide students with knowledge on the genesis, applications and study methods of mineral resources.
Contents
Theoretical:
- Introduction to geological resources: definition, geological framework and use.
- Global economy of the geological resources.
- Geophysical prospecting: onshore and offshore.
- Geochemical prospecting: sampling and data processing and visualization.
- Non-metallic resources: types, applications and distribution in Portugal
- Energetic resources: importance, types and consumption.
- Study methods for metallic ores: fluid inclusions and stable isotopes.
- Classification of metallic ores: (1) Orthomagmatic deposits; (2) Disseminated and stockwork deposits; (3) Skarns; (4) Vein deposits; (5) Massive sulphides; (6) Sedimentary deposits.
- Marine mineral resources.
- Portuguese exemples.
- Sustainable mineral exploration and circular economy.
- Mitigation of environmental problems due to exploration.
Practice
- Recognition of main types of ores and their textures.
- Case study if the ore mineral and paragenetic sequence of Portuguese and world deposits.
- Field Work
- Introduction to geological resources: definition, geological framework and use.
- Global economy of the geological resources.
- Geophysical prospecting: onshore and offshore.
- Geochemical prospecting: sampling and data processing and visualization.
- Non-metallic resources: types, applications and distribution in Portugal
- Energetic resources: importance, types and consumption.
- Study methods for metallic ores: fluid inclusions and stable isotopes.
- Classification of metallic ores: (1) Orthomagmatic deposits; (2) Disseminated and stockwork deposits; (3) Skarns; (4) Vein deposits; (5) Massive sulphides; (6) Sedimentary deposits.
- Marine mineral resources.
- Portuguese exemples.
- Sustainable mineral exploration and circular economy.
- Mitigation of environmental problems due to exploration.
Practice
- Recognition of main types of ores and their textures.
- Case study if the ore mineral and paragenetic sequence of Portuguese and world deposits.
- Field Work
Teaching Methods
Lectures are focused on the basic concepts of mineral deposits, genetic processes, and their exploration. The practical classes include microscopic identification of ore minerals, acquisition of geochemical data, and interpretation of geophysical and geochemical data. When possible, the practical classes will use data from ongoing projects or case studies, using the mineral resources-specific data with the information of other Earth sciences branches.
The implementation of a b-learning approach to theoretical lectures and practical modules is expected.
Students will have the opportunity to visit laboratories with high technology equipment for observation and geochemical analysis of rocks and minerals with economic potential (SEM-MS).
Evaluation includes two theoretical tests (25%+25%=50% final grade) and a report will be presented with the main results of the practical component (50%). Alternatively: Final theoretical exam (50%) and practical report (50%).
The implementation of a b-learning approach to theoretical lectures and practical modules is expected.
Students will have the opportunity to visit laboratories with high technology equipment for observation and geochemical analysis of rocks and minerals with economic potential (SEM-MS).
Evaluation includes two theoretical tests (25%+25%=50% final grade) and a report will be presented with the main results of the practical component (50%). Alternatively: Final theoretical exam (50%) and practical report (50%).
