UNIVERSITY OF OSLO
DATED: 1 JULY 2015
MASTER / PH.D. COURSE 7 – 18 SEPTEMBER 2015:
GEO4910 MINERAL RESOURCES
(INCLUDING MINERAL FORMING PROCESSES AND METALLOGENY)
[NORDIC MINERALOGICAL NETWORK COURSE]
Introduction: The course reviews the principal types of mineral resources, their distribution and
genesis, with particular emphasis on deposits of metals, mineral forming processes and
metallogeny. The student will be introduced to the basic principles of ore deposits and methods for
deciphering their genetic evolution. Following discussion of how deposits can be classified
according to commodity and formation mechanisms, the most common types of deposits will be
reviewed with respect to their main features and the geological environments in which they occur.
The course will focus on the understanding of the distribution of ore deposits within a geochemical
framework, using in particular fluid inclusions, thermodynamic chemical (thermochemical)
modeling of minerals stabilities in aqueous solutions, and stable and radiogenic isotope data. Some
of these methods will also be used to demonstrate how mineral deposits may be exploited in
environmental-friendly ways through modern hydro-metallurgy and dump-leaching processes.
Contents (10 credit points): Society’s demand for mineral resources, crystallisation processes,
paragenetic sequences, phase diagrams and thermodynamics of ore-forming processes, hydrostatic
and lithostatic pressure, fluid inclusions, physical/chemical conditions of ore formation (e.g., pH,
Eh / redox, buffers, metal complexation in solutions), mineral stabilities, mineral transformation,
stable isotopes (H, O, C, S), lead-isotopes in ore genesis studies. Formation of ore deposits via
magmatic, metamorphic, metasomatic, sedimentary, diagenetic, hydrothermal, pneumatolytic and
supergene genesis. Metallogeny. Non-metallic resources, industrial minerals. Mineral resources of
Norway, the Nordic countries; global resources. Introduction to ore mineralogy and microscopy.
Mining laws. Exploration. Environmental considerations.
Goals: To provide an introduction to the geological processes (chemical and physical) which
contribute to the formation of the major types of mineral deposits.
Previous course requirements/restrictions: None
A good understanding of mineralogy and petrology and the basic principles of geochemistry and
physical chemistry is recommended.
Teaching format and regularity: two-week intensive course, including obligatory field study
course, including 30 hours of lectures plus obligatory laboratory and calculation exercises.
Language: English or Norwegian depending on students enrolled.
Exam: Oral examination at end of course (80% of total mark), plus evaluation of written and
laboratory / calculation exercises (10%) and field study course (10%).
Course description:
1. Course structure; Curriculum; lectures, assignments, field course; Introduction, definitions,
society's demand for mineral resources, economic foundation.
2. Crystallisation, morphology, textures; paragenetic sequences, zoning; states, phases, components;
state diagram for water; hydrostatic and lithostatic pressure. Assignments: Fluid inclusions.
3. Fluid inclusions (continues); chemical equilibrium, law of mass action; protolysis of water, pH as
a function of temperature and pressure, redox reactions, Eh, different mineral buffers (buffering
of temperature, pressure, concentration); mineral stabilities, wall-rock reactions.
4. Stable isotopes and lead isotopes as geochemical tools; interpretations of isotope data.
5. Classification of mineral deposits; main criteria for classification; introduction to ore formation
and genetic models.
6. Magmatic mineral forming processes; Cu-Ni-PGE deposits, chromite deposits, pegmatite
deposits.
7. Hydrothermal mineral forming processes: Processes at mineral dissolution, transport, deposition;
’high’ and ’low’ sulfidation epithermal deposits, porphyry deposits, hydrothermal deposits on
the sea floor (VHMS deposits), and more.
8. FIELD COURSE 2 FULL DAYS + 2 HALF DAYS – MANDATORY. Skarn, massive
sulphide, wall-rock reactions, hydrothermal deposits, different types of granites and pegmatites,
carbonatite, larvikite.
9. Sedimentary and diagenetic mineral forming processes; supergene (surface) mineral forming
processes (SEDEX deposits, iron deposits, and more).
10. Metamorphic and metasomatic mineral forming processes.
11. Metallogenesis and plate tectonics, global metallogenetic distribution of ore deposits,
metallogenetic provinces and epochs.
12. Non-metallic raw materials: Industrial minerals, coal, natural stones, diamonds and other
gemstones, and more.
13. Economic aspects of mining industry – what makes a deposit economic?
14. Mining laws. Prospecting methods – geochemical, geophysical, evaluation of ore deposits.
15. Environmental aspects of the mining industry.
Examination requirements / individual learning:
Evans, A.M. 1993: Ore Geology and Industrial Minerals - An Introduction, 3rd Edition. Blackwell
Science, Ltd., 389 pp. [ISBN 0-632-02953-6].
Or alternatively, if the book by Evans is not available:
Robb, L. 2004: Introduction to Ore-Forming Processes. Blackwell Science, Ltd., 373 pp.
[ISBN 0-63206-378-5].
+ handouts and scientific publications
Syllabus, see: http://folk.uio.no/tomvs/minerals/GEO4910-syllabus-2009.pdf
Note: the curriculum consists of book chapters (individual learning) + lectures + assignments +
field course.
Further reading / useful background:
Moon, C.J., Whateley, M.K.G., Evans, A.M. 2005: Introduction to Mineral Exploration. Blackwell
Science, Ltd., 481 pp. [ISBN 1-4051-1317-0].
Instructor:
Tom V. Segalstad
Associate Professor of Resource- and Environmental Geology
Geological Museum, Natural History Museum (NHM); University of Oslo (UiO)
Handouts (some):
http://folk.uio.no/tomvs/minerals/geo4910
Program for Master / PhD course GEO4910
Mineral Resources (10 credits), Fall semester 2015
Sept. Mon 7 0900 Start at NHM; afternoon field trip to Sognsvann iron skarn mines – bring field
equipment (hammer, handlens, etc.), field clothes, field boots, rain gear if necessary
Sept. Tue 8 Lectures; evening exercises
Sept. Wed 9 Lectures; evening exercises
Sept. Thu 10 Lectures; evening exercises
Sept. Fri 11 Lectures (Room U37A Dept. of Geosci. 9 - 12 o'clock; Blindern); evening exercises
Sept. Sat 12 Field trip to Telemark etc. – bring field equipment, field clothes / rain gear, boots
Sept. Sun 13 Field trip to Telemark etc. continues (overnight Sat-Sun at Gautefall Lodging)
Sept. Mon 14 Lectures; evening field report work
Sept. Tue 15 Lectures
Sept. Wed 16 FREE; individual exam preparations
Sept. Thu 17 Exam
Sept. Fri 18 Exam continues, if many students
Lecture periods usually 0900 – 1200; and 1230 – 1700 every day, except noted otherwise.
Application for monetary course participation support
The Master / PhD-level course GEO4910 Mineral Resources 8 – 21 September 2014 in Oslo
welcomes Nordic, Baltic, and Norwegian students. The course is this year NOT supported by
Nordisk Ministerråd (Nordic Council of Ministers) via the Nordic Mineralogical Network (NMN).
Students enrolled at other Nordic or Baltic universities, who wish to take this course, may apply for
lodging support (lodging at the Oslo Youth Hostel or similarly priced lodging) from the Olge
Adamson’s Legacy. Such applications for the course and for monetary support must reach
Associate Professor Tom V. Segalstad before 1 Sep. 2015. Address: Geological Museum, Natural
History Museum, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172 Blindern, N-0318 OSLO, NORWAY. E-mail:
"t.v.segalstad" followed by "@" and "nhm.uio.no". Phone: +47-22851662.
In your application please include your CV, contact details, your complete list of university courses
(course name, level + credits), and a description why this course will be useful for you.
Please enclose a recommendation from your thesis advisor (plus your advisor's phone number and
E-mail address).
This monetary support, if granted, will NOT cover travel or meals, but only lodging at the Oslo
Youth Hostel (or similarly priced lodging).
Nordic students, who would like to take this course, should also ideally register with the University
of Oslo before 1st May the same year. This also applies to other foreign students. For Nordic
students, please see: http://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/exchange/nordplus-nordlys/
It looks like the cheapest way to book the hostel is via a booking company (example
www.booking.com). You may check the web for what booking company offers the best price. Note
that there will be one night when you don't need lodging in Oslo, because we will be away one
night for the field course part (usually the night between Saturday and Sunday).
At the University of Oslo the GEO4910 course is also accepted as a PhD course.
Course expenses
All participants must buy their own study book(s) and study materials.
All participants must be prepared to cover the field trip fee of total 500 NOK (to be paid via an
electronic system; information will be put on the course description page; please bring a copy of the
reciept), plus their own travel expenses in Oslo between the course venue and their night quarters,
plus their daily meals. http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/geofag/GEO4910/
The bulk of the cost for the field trips (travel, parts of food, lodging for the full two-day field trip,
plus rental bus) will be covered by the University of Oslo (plus the student fees).
The participants must bring their own field equipment (hammer, chisel, safety goggles, boots, handlens, and field clothes for the possibility of both cold and wet weather), and camera (optional).
Course program website: http://folk.uio.no/tomvs/minerals/
Logistics
The course start is Monday 7 September at 09:00 am in the 1st (ground) floor Auditorium in the
Geological Museum (building inside the Botanical Garden of the Natural History Museum - NHM,
Sars' Gate 1, Tøyen in Oslo).
The front door of the Geological Museum (south) will be locked at that time of day, but please wait
outside the door, and you will be locked in from time to time between 08:45 and 09:00 am.
Bring your own lunch and drink every day. Or you may of course buy something to eat at a store or
the cafeteria nearby. There is a possibility to boil water for tea or coffee in the Museum, and there is
also a microwave oven plus cups and plates etc. But you will need to bring what you want to eat or
drink. We have no cantina in the Geological Museum building, unfortunately.
For the first day (Mon. 7 Sep.) there will be an afternoon field trip to old iron skarn mines at
Sognsvann in Oslo. Please bring your field clothes and boots plus field equipment (hammer, eye
protection glasses, hand lens; rain gear if necessary) and travel pass or money for public
transportation in Oslo. You may also bring a magnet and some hydrochloric acid is you have.
For preparations to the first day's field trip, see our Handouts page at:
http://folk.uio.no/tomvs/minerals/geo4910
Read there the "Field Trip 20-21 SEP 10 - BACKGROUND" about the Oslo Rift, and the "Field
Trips - SKARN" papers there. You can also download and print the Oslo Rift geologic map there.
Questions:
Associate Professor Tom V. Segalstad
E-mail: <t.v.segalstad@nhm.uio.no>
Phone: +47-22851662; Mobile: +47-91193973
NOTE:
Please send me an E-mail if you have special food allergies for our two-day field trip.