Geological Resources
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Geology |
Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S
Cycles of Study/Courses
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
It is expected that students acquire general knowledge about the variety of existing Geological Resources and on their genesis and geo-economic aspects. It is expected that students acquire skills that make them able to join the technical staff of companies in the mining area, or start research in the area of geological resources.
Learning outcomes and competences
The program was developed according with the generalist nature that the course has (in the Geological Resource field it is the only UC of the Course). Thus it is intended that the student stay with a view of all resources, without neglecting basic and essential aspects of the genesis of each type of geologic feature, as well as knowledge of paradigmatic examples of global deposits.
Working method
Presencial
Program
Basic information on Geological Resources.
The large groups of Geological Resources: metallic ores, mineral and industrial rocks, energy resources, ornamental stones and gems. Sources of information on the world production of geological resources.
Factors influencing the exploration of a mineral deposit: 1. content and tonnage, 2. nature of the ore, 3. location of the deposit, 4. technical, economic and political factors.
Factors that control the formation of hydrothermal deposits: 1. Source of metals, 2. Source of fluids, 3. Trigger of fluid circulation, 4. Locations and mechanisms of precipitation.
Geodynamic environments in the formation of Geological Resources. The formation of geological resources through Time. Some of the major classifications of geological resources.
Geological processes that form mineral deposits: 1. SURFACE PROCESSES. 1.1. Supergenic deposits, 1.1.1. In situ deposits (kaolin, bauxite, Ni-Co laterites and adsorbed ion clays), 1.1.2. Deposits formed from precipitation of shallow groundwater (uranium, magnesite), 1.1.3. Deposits formed by upgrade of primary mineralization (copper), 1.2. Physical sedimentation with water (diamond placers with minerals of Au, Pt, Ti, Zr) or with wind (deposits in dunes), 1.3. Chemical sedimentation, 1.3.1. Evaporites (gypsum, halite, silvinite, borates, carbonates and Na sulphates), 1.3.2. Chemical sedimentation sensu strictu (BIF, Mn), 1.4. Organic sedimentation (organic activity or accumulation), 1.4.1. Hydrocarbons (petroleum, natural gas, coal, peat, bituminous shales, tigh oil and gas, gaseous hydrates), 1.4.2. Other deposits (phosphorites, sulfur); 2. ENDOGENIC PROCESSES, 2.1. Hydrothermal, 2.1.1. Magmatic water, 2.1.1.1. Porphyries, 2.1.1.2. Skarns, 2.1.1.3. IOCG deposits, 2.1.2. Metamorphic water, 2.1.3. Basal brines (Mississippi Valley deposits and sedimentary exhaling reservoirs (SEDEX), 2.1.4 Modified marine water (deposits of vulcanogenic massive sulphides and SEDEX deposits, 2.1.5 Groundwater and related deposits (uranium, sulfur), 2.2. Magmatic processes, 2.2.1. basic or ultrabasic magmatism, 2.2.2. Greisens and Aplites and pegmatites, 2.2.3 Unusual magmas (carbonatite, kimberlite-lamproite) and related mineralization.
Metalogenic synthesis of Europe, from the Archaic to the Cenozoic.
Synthesis on the Geological Resources of Portugal.
Mandatory literature
Arndt, N.T. et al. (editores); Future Global Mineral Resources, Geochemical Perspectives v. 6, n. 1. European Association of Geochemistry, 2017. ISBN: 2223-7755
Craig, J.R., ; ORE-MINERAL TEXTURES AND THE TALES THEY TELL, 2001
Kesler Stephen E.;
Mineral resources, economics and the environment. ISBN: 978-1-107-07491-0
Moura, A.; Metais e semi-metais de Portugal, Palimage, 2010
Moura, António; Geologia económica dos Elementos Não Metálicos, Palimage, 2013
Moura, António; Geologia económica dos Metais básicos e ferrosos., Palimage, 2016
Moura, A. e Velho, J.V.; Recursos Geológicos de Portugal, Palimage, 2012, Palimage, 2012
Ridley, J.; Ore Deposit Geology , Cambridge University Press, 2013. ISBN: 9781107022225
Robb Laurence;
Introduction to ore-forming processes. ISBN: 0-632-06378-5
Velho José Lopes 1956-;
Mineralogia industrial. ISBN: 978-972-757-331-8
Complementary Bibliography
Kogel, J.E. et al. (Editores); Industrial Minerals and Rocks. 7th edition, S.M.E., 2006. ISBN: 978-0873352499
Pirajno Franco 1939;
Hydrothermal mineral deposits. ISBN: 3-540-52517-3
Guilbert John M.;
The geology of ore deposits. ISBN: 0-7167-1456-6
Taylor, R.; Ore Textures, Springer., 2009. ISBN: 978-3-642-01782-7
Arndt, N., Ganino, C.,; Metals and Society. An introduction to economic geology, Springer, 2012. ISBN: 978-3-642-22995-4.
Evans Anthony M.;
Ore geology and industrial minerals. ISBN: 0-632-02953-6
Harben, P.W., Kuzvart, M., ; Industrial Minerals a Global Geology, Industrial Mineral Information Ltd, 1996. ISBN: 1 900663 07 4
Craig James R. 1940-;
Resources of the earth: origin, use, and environmental impact. ISBN: 0-13-083410-6
Teaching methods and learning activities
In class the teacher exposes the academic contents orally and showing graphic projections, tables and photos related to the themes. It also shows objects from day to day, relating them to the ores of the elements from which they are are extracted.
In practical classes students study in hand sample and reflection and trnsmission microscopes the most important mineral resources.
Evaluation Type
Distributed evaluation without final exam
Assessment Components
designation |
Weight (%) |
Teste |
50,00 |
Exame |
50,00 |
Total: |
100,00 |
Amount of time allocated to each course unit
designation |
Time (hours) |
Estudo autónomo |
50,00 |
Frequência das aulas |
50,00 |
Total: |
100,00 |
Eligibility for exams
As FCUP rules
Calculation formula of final grade
Average of 2 test.
The evaluation will be 70% theoretical and 30% practical. The minimum classification in each part is 6.0 in 20.Examinations or Special Assignments