Minerals, Metals and Materials for Sustainable Futures EARTH4083

  • Academic Session: 2022-23
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Available to Erasmus Students: Yes

Short Description

Theoretical and practical understanding of ore-forming processes and materials, particularly critical metals, their exploration, and sustainable extraction techniques and environmental stewardship.

Timetable

Two x 3 hr workshops per week for 5 weeks (2 hr lecture and 1 hr lab per workshop). Two local 1 day field classes.

Requirements of Entry

Normally completion of Level 3 Geology courses at a mean of D3.

Excluded Courses

EARTH4005 - Economic Minerals

Assessment

Written exam (60%); Technical exploration and appraisal report (30%); Oral presentation (10%)

Main Assessment In: December

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

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Course Aims

To develop an understanding of the origins of and exploration for ore deposits and industrial minerals, in particular critical metals, and their sustainable extraction and processing for the future supply of raw materials.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ To explain the nature, origin and geological setting of ore (especially critical metals) and industrial mineral deposits and the key concepts of their genesis (e.g. source of metals, origin of fluids, depositional conditions);

■ To identify and evaluate economically relevant geological materials in hand-specimen and assess their geological associations;

■ To critically appraise the economic significance and viability of ore deposits and industrial mineral accumulations within various geological environments using a variety of field, analytical and spatial datasets;

■ To evaluate techniques used in the exploration for minerals, metals and other bulk materials, and their sustainable future extraction, processing and remediation;

■ To discuss potential carbon capture and storage solutions associated with waste and the extraction process

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.