Short Courses

Pre-conference Short Courses

micro-XRF analysis in the applied geosciences: from fundamentals to application

Instructor: Nigel Kelly (Bruker)

1 Day

Analytical technologies being applied to the characterization and understanding of mineral deposits are developing at a significant rate, providing geologists increasingly sophisticated data to supplement basic observations to build more and more detailed deposit models for our understanding of ore forming processes and for application to developments in exploration and extraction. XRF analysis is just one of many geochemical and mineralogical analysis methods in common use, either in portable or lab-based implementations. Less well known but increasingly visible in rock characterization workflows is micro-XRF. With X-ray beam diameters below 20 µm, high-efficiency detectors, and fast stage speeds, the technique has the power to collect detailed spatial geochemistry (element maps) at the hand-sample scale with minimal to no sample preparation. Outputs are providing essential information that bridges scales between macro and micro.

This one-day short course will introduce the fundamentals of ED-XRF as applied to micro-XRF, including how to read and interpret data within the context of limitations imposed by the technique. The course will provide the basics of data collection, and how acquisition parameters influence data output and end-use. The utility of the technique will be illustrated through the presentation by invited speakers of application examples that will cover approaches to data capture, reduction, and interpretation. In addition, presenters will introduce novel use of micro-XRF data that extend beyond simple elemental imaging of samples to use in larger datasets in an ore deposit environment.

Exploration of sediment-hosted metals

Instructor: Ali Jaffri (Applied Stratigraphix)

2 Days

A diverse suite of metals is hosted in sedimentary strata. This includes the world’s largest gold deposits in paleoplacers such as the Witwatersrand, and the world largest copper deposits aside from porphyries – the Central African Copper Belt. Some of the world largest Uranium deposits are also sediment-hosted and are often associated with Vanadium. The world’s largest Zinc deposits are also sediment-hosted.

This 2-day comprehensive course on sediment-hosted metals is taught using a mineral systems approach. The highlight of this course are exercises on actual hand samples collected by Dr. Jaffri from deposits in the US.

Orogenic Gold

Instructors: J. Kolb, G. Beaudoin, I. Pitcairn, N. Thébaud, R. Goldfarb

Jochen Kolb (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), Georges Beaudoin (Université Laval), Iain Pitcairn (Stockholm University), Nicolas Thébaud (University of Western Australia), and Rich Goldfarb (Colorado School of Mines)

1 Day

Orogenic gold deposits are a major gold source and a major target for mineral exploration. This short course will feature up-to-date geology, structure and geochemistry of orogenic gold deposits. The short course will delve into the origin of hydrothermal fluids from source rocks P-T-X-t conditions to gold deposition mechanisms in localized mineralized zones. We will discuss current deposit models and challenges related to exploration. We have global experience and will show various examples from different deposits through space and time

Ore Microscopy

Instructor: Simon Kocher (Colorado School of Mines) and Tobias Fusswinkel (RWTH Aachen)

2 Days

Reflected light microscopy and detailed ore petrography can shed light on ore deposit formation and can help to identify potential problems in the beneficiation process during early stages of exploration. This 2-day workshop is aimed at economic geologists and mineral processing engineers seeking to refresh and improve their ore microscopy skills. Participants will learn to identify key minerals and textural relationships by examining a series of samples representative of various deposit types.

Tectonic and Structural Framework for precious metal deposits in north america

Instructor: Dave Rhys (Panterra), Franck Valli (Newmont), and Amanda Hughes (University of Arizona)

3 Days

This course will review the tectonic development of North America, from Archean to present, and the position and structural controls on precious metal deposits within it as well as other associated deposit types. Participants will gain knowledge in the relationships between regional tectonic patterns and local deposit controls. Orogenic gold, epithermal, Carlin and other precious-metal enriched deposits will be discussed through district examples and case studies within their structural contexts. In addition, structural methods for their evaluation in outcrop and drill core, as well as geophysical interpretation of deposit structural settings will also be addressed for the different deposit types and settings.

Database design to capture and archive geological observations

Instructor:Wiley Skewes (Alamos Gold )

1 Day

Make your data match your deposit and work for your business goals. This course will address foundational principles of data organization and how to use them in mineral deposit applications. Topics will include geologic driven design, efficient data capture, functional precision, and database transitions. This course is intended for everyone from geologists with no database experience to database managers.

Post-conference Short Courses

Fluid Inclusions

Instructors: Tobias Fusswinkel (RWTH Aachen University), Matthew Steele-MacInnis (University of Alberta)

2 Days

Fluid and melt inclusions can provide critical snapshots into chemical and physical properties of ore forming systems that may otherwise be masked by overprinting geochemical processes. They may yield information on fluid and melt sources, their properties such as volatile saturation or oxidation state, as well as formation pressure, temperature and ore grade distribution.

This two-day workshop will provide participants with a hands-on learning opportunity and practical understanding of the benefits and limitations in the application of fluid and melt inclusion studies to ore system studies. The workshop topics will cover guidelines for sample preparation and the importance of robust inclusion petrography for establishing time relations of inclusion entrapment and their relevance in solving a specific ore system problem. It will also provide introduction to fluid and melt inclusion microthermometry, software tools for modelling fluid and melt compositions, as well as other analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy (volatile chemistry) and LA-ICP-MS (major, minor and trace element compositions). Finally, selected case studies will demonstrate the value of inclusion studies in ore system applications.

The course participants will have ample opportunity to study example fluid and melt inclusions from various ore systems using petrographic microscopes. Participants will receive certificates of participation.

Mineral Markets: How Economics informs strategy

Instructor: Rod Eggert (Colorado School of Mines)

1 Day

This course develops a framework for assessing the market environment in which a mining company operates – and how this assessment informs strategy. After this course, participants should be able to use basic microeconomics to understand the nature and extent of competition in mineral and metal markets and then use the insights from this analysis to develop business strategy.

UAV-borne hyperspectral mapping approaches within mining environments- lessons on best-practice from a legacy mine and tailings site within the M4Mining project

Instructors: Frederike Koerting (HySpex) and Katerina Savinova (University of Queensland)

The M4Mining project champions sustainable mining practices through integrated remote sensing data for monitoring of mining-related masses, both at active mining operations, as well as across legacy mine sites and tailings storage facilities. The project’s overarching mission is to develop comprehensive remote sensing solutions for mining and tailings sites. M4Mining workflows include a multi-sensor hyperspectral infrastructure (hardware and software) on an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), establishing best practices, resolving resolution gaps between satellite- and UAS-based data, real-time mapping approaches, effective data analytical techniques and user-friendly interfaces to present results to operators and decision-makers. Within the short course, we aim to give you an introduction to the full UAS workflow, including perspectives and best practices needed to acquire good UAS-based hyperspectral data in such an environment, a showcase of the Breeze GEO and Breeze AIR software packages developed by Prediktera AS for M4Mining, and effective visualization of hyperspectral data with the end-user in mind. If you ever find yourself on-site with a hyperspectral drone or have access to data collected by such a system, we hope this short course will give you the right tools and insights to handle the data. This means assessing the data quality, doing preliminary data analysis and visualization to reveal patterns of the site, and providing good resources to educate yourself further. Lessons learned from the three years of running the M4Mining project will be condensed and shared in this 1-day workshop.

Concepts and Application of Machine Learning to Mining Geoscience: A Practical Course

Instructor: Francisca Maepa (BHP)

2 Days

The fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence have advanced significantly in the past decade and the mining industry is trying to keep pace with the growing demand for data science application and automation of geoscience workflows. There is a need to upskill geoscientists on machine learning concepts and recognize potential applications within the industry.

This workshop intends to introduce the participants to the applications and evaluation of Machine Learning in mining geoscience. The main concepts and best practices for applied Machine Learning to exploration and mining will be reviewed. The course will be set in a practical framework, with a focus on the understanding and usage of different algorithms without detailing the mathematics behind each algorithm. Through a series of case studies, examples, and hands-on exercises the attendees will learn how to best apply Machine Learning to different datasets and most importantly, evaluate the results produced by the algorithms.

No prior coding or data science knowledge is required, but a strong interest in either statistics, modelling or data analysis is recommended. Exercises will be completed using a user-friendly and intuitive interface for data mining and machine learning. Attendees will need their own laptop and install software prior to the course.

Geological mapping in mineral exploration

Instructor: Andreas Dietrich (DIETRICH Consulting) and Ben Frieman (CSM)

2 Days

The workshop discusses practical aspects of geological mapping in academic research, mining, and the mineral exploration industry. Lectures in combination with lab exercises will take the participants through a complete cycle of a mapping job from preparation stage to typical questions during field work and preparation of final map and GIS products.

Starting with the basic concepts of geologic mapping the course will include a refreshment of 3D construction and 4D interpretation skills followed by an outline of the currently available modern and traditional toolbox assisting field work, data capture and processing. Specific problems of geological mapping in and around hydrothermal systems include the use and interpretation of satellite imagery, methods of alteration mapping and useful techniques of structural mapping.

On the second day the workshop will be complemented with a trip to the Edgar Experimental Mine, a historic gold-silver mine and current training facility of the Colorado School of Mines in nearby Idaho Springs. At Edgar Mine, course attendees will be able to apply practical concepts covered earlier in the course. Furthermore, course attendees will be introduced to underground mapping techniques, along with an introduction to intrusion-related mineralization styles in the Colorado Mineral Belt.