UNIVERSITY OF OSLO
GEO4910 / GEO9910 - Mineral Resources - 2009 Fall - 10 cr
(Mineral Forming Processes / Metallogenesis)
Page numbers refer to the book:
Evans, A.M. 1993: Ore geology and industrial minerals.
An introduction, 3rd ed. Blackwell Science.
Alternative book:
Robb, L. 2008: Introduction to ore-forming processes, 2nd Printing.
Blackwell Publ. [page numbers in blue, below]
Syllabus = book + lectures + problem sets + field trip
The syllabus is divided into two parts in the text (page numbers in Evans’):
Mandatory part (read thoroughly) pages 26 - 103.
Cursory part (read generally) pages 3 - 25, and 104 - 346.
MANDATORY PART:
Page Robb
Theme
Pages Evans
Definitions (minerals, crystals, metals, metallogenesis,
ore, grades, concentration factors, etc.)
3-8, 16-25 + handout 1 - 15
Crystallization, nucleation, crystal growth,
structures, morphology, textures
26-42 + handout
Fluid inclusions
(phase diagram for H2O - NaCl, critical point,
supercritical/subcritical conditions, isochores,
salinities from freezing point depressions,
homogenization temperatures, formation temperatures,
formation pressure: hydrostatic and lithostatic,
unmixing gas/fluid; boiling/condensation,
crossing isochores for H2O and CO2, daughter
crystals)
40-43 + handout +
174 - 177
76 - 78
89 - 91
136 - 138
141 - 142
155 - 156
problem
Wallrock alterations
44-51 + handout
166 - 174
Mineral forming processes:
Magmatic processes
Hydrothermal processes
(dissolution, transport, precipitation by:
temperature change, pressure change,
activity/concentration change, wallrock reaction,
redox change, unmixing;
boiling/condensation)
Metamorphic processes
Supergene processes
55-69 + handout + problem
69-71
71-74
219 - 245
Fracture tectonics
80-83 + handout
52-55 + problem
139 - 147
2
Geochemical methods:
Stable isotopes (H, C, O, S)
75-79, 87-88 + handout
Phase equilibria
(chemical reactions, thermochemical calculations,
activity diagrams and other phase diagrams,
definition of pH at different temperatures
and pressure, oxidation potentials)
84-87 + handouts + problem
Paragenetic sequences, zoning
88-93 + handout
174 - 179
Radiogenic isotopes - lead isotopes
(radioactive decay, growth curves,
Holmes-Houtermans' model for 1-stage lead,
isochron, geochron, anomalous lead; B-type and J-type,
Stacey & Kramers' model for 2-stage lead,
Doe & Zartman' s plumbotectonic model for
multi-stage lead isotope development)
93-95 + handout
Classification of mineral deposits
(hypothermal, mesothermal, epithermal,
telethermal)
99-103
Hydrometallurgy/"solution mining", environment
2 - 12
handout + video
CURSORY PART:
Diamond deposits, carbonatites, pegmatites
104-127 + handout
27 - 28
30 - 34
93 - 96
Orthomagmatic deposits
128-153 + handout
19 - 74
Greisen deposits, skarn deposits,
plutonic/stockwork deposits
154-189
Stratiform sedimentary and volcanic deposits
190-212 + handout 177 - 189
Hydrothermal deposits
213-232
Stratabound deposits
233-243 + handout
Sedimentary deposits
244-261
Residual deposits, supergene deposits
262-271
Industrial minerals
272-304
Metamorphosis of mineral deposits
305-310
Global metallogenetic distribution of
ore deposits, metallogenetic
provinces and epochs
313-344
Field trip; skarn, massive sulfides, wallrock
alteration, hydrothermal deposits,
pegmatite, granites, carbonatite
handouts
111 - 117
75 - 215
219 - 308
311 - 344
3
Exam: Oral, ca. 1/2 hour.
Main emphasis will be on the mandatory syllabus (including the field trip) with
examples from the most important parts of the cursory syllabus.
The candidate can bring a non-programmable calculator, mathematical and physical tables,
and a periodic system (e.g., "Periodic Table of the Elements", E.H. Sargent & Co.).
Oslo, 1st October 2009
Tom V. Segalstad
Associate Professor of
Resource- and Environmental Geology