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GEO4910 - Mineral resources

Facts about this course: Credits: 10 Level: Advanced course at master's level Teaching semester: Every autumn semester Examination semester: Every autumn semester Language of instruction: English Administrated by: Department of Geosciences

Detailed course information - Current and previous semesters: Autumn 2012 Autumn 2011 Autumn 2010 Autumn 2009

Course content

The course reviews the principal types of mineral resources, their distribution and genesis, with particular emphasis on deposits of metals. The first part of the course deals with 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 latter part of the course will focus on the underlying reasons for the distribution of ore deposits within a plate tectonic framework, and go on to discuss the economic principles of mining and the current character of the global metal mining industry and the sequence of events from the selection of areas for potential discovery of ore deposits, prospecting and development.

Learning outcomes

You will learn about the geological processes that lead to the formation of mineral deposits in nature, and about which minerals and rocks represent important resources for society. At the end of the study period, you will be in a position to contribute to the exploitation of known mineral deposits, and to contribute to exploration for new deposits. You will also learn how exploitation of mineral deposits can take place with minimal negative consequences for the environment, and how harmful emissions from mines and mineral deposits can be stopped or limited.

Knowledge aims

• To be able to classify different minerals and rocks relevant to resources
• To be able to understand how and why different types of mineral deposits are formed
• To gain an insight into how environmental problems applicable to mineral deposits and exploitation of natural resources can be minimalised and, if possible, avoided
• Gain a deep knowledge within your own area of interest.

Skill level

• To be able to identify certain minerals and rocks relevant to natural resources in hand specimens
• To be able to explain how different types of mineral deposits can be found
• To be able to evaluate different environmental measures applied to mineral deposits and exploitation of resources
• To be able to work both independently and in collaboration with others.

Attitude goals

• The course aims at fostering and developing scientific curiosity around the course theme and a critical reflection of representativeness, accuracy, reliability and importance of the data and results.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Prerequisites

Recommended prior knowledge

A good understanding of mineralogy and petrology and the basic principles of geochemistry is recommended.

Teaching

Two-week intensive course with 30 hours of lectures. Obligatory 4 evenings with 2 hours laboratory exercise each, and an obligatory field study course (2 whole and 2 half days).

Laboratory reports from each exercise as well as the field report must be approved before you can sit for the final exam.

General information about excursions at the Department of geosciences

Exam information

Obligatory written exercises and laboratory exercises are graded and counts 10% together, the report from the field study course counts 10%. Final oral exam at end of course counts 80% of total mark.

General information about examinations at the faculty can be found at www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/index.html

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

External auditor: Rune B. Larsen

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

Periodic evaluation autumn 2009 and autumn 2010

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