CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B before the short course prevented course short the before week in the day in Perth lockdown Unfortunately, asnap, not. did five- (KEA718),Geology even COVID-19 if in Economic Skills Field Advanced unit, Economic of Geology Master CODES’ of new delivery inaugural the on smiled weather gods The Economic Geology of Master the in enrolled those as well professionals, as industry involved – at aimed minerals of Tasmanian-based fieldwork plenty –with course short Masters anew introduced has CODES (MineralCarl Jackman Resources Tasmania). and student) (Honours obscured Gallagher, Till Lejun, student), (PhD Takeshy student), Coaquira (PhD Farrar Alex student), (Honours Mah 2021. (L–R): are February in They Fu Rong course the of day last the on Bay, Peninsula, Freycinet (KEA718) Bluestone at Geology Economic in Skills Field Advanced unit, Geology Economic of Master new the in participants teaching vest) hi-vis (wearing Zhang Lejun Lecturer Senior MASTER OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY UNIT ADVANCED NEW WEATHER ENDORSE GODS FIELD SKILLS as it adjusts to a sustainable future. student numbers; when they finish their studies this cohort is likely to be in strong demand first-year by in the minerals industry increase big bythe heartened greatly is he And Tasmania. within again field the into out get to able been have staff and students Sciences CODES/Earth that fact the celebrates Cooke David Professor steam, 2021As gathers FROM THE DIRECTOR FROM THE based rock and mineral identification, identification, mineral and rock based field- include These industry. minerals in the use for suitable skills field and mapping advanced and fundamental of in avariety training and instruction provides in Economic Geology Skills Tasmania. of coast Field Advanced east and northeast west, the on locations in various taught was which unit, this of field-based new delivery inaugural the excellent weather for of weeks were to treated two course short the of part all or attended 14 remaining the who participants However, attending. from registrants Western Australia-based five CONTINUED OVER PAGE King Island data gathering data Island King Cooke David Professor 2021: Lecturer SEG Distinguished student numbers Sciences Earth in Increase Sack Patrick Dr now? they are Where 2021 roundup students Masters ISSUE THIS IN > AUTUMN 2021
No.39 P24
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CODES CONTACTS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE CODES DIRECTOR AND ARC INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION RESEARCH HUB (TMVC) DIRECTOR David Cooke Ph: +61 3 6226 7605 [email protected]
LEADERS, PROGRAM 1 Ore Deposits and Mineral Exploration Mike Baker and Lejun Zhang Ph: +61 3 6226 7210/7211 [email protected] [email protected]
LEADERS, PROGRAM 2 Geometallurgy, Geoenvironment and Mining Julie Hunt and Angela Escolme Ph: +61 3 6226 5705/2664 [email protected] [email protected]
LEADERS, PROGRAM 3 Sedimentation, Tectonics and Earth Evolution Senior Lecturer Dr Rob Scott (white hat, centre) discusses the geology of the Hall Rivulet Canal Jonathan Cloutier and Jeff Steadman mapping area with students participating in the Honours/VIEPS Exploration Field Skills mapping Ph: +61 3 6226 2109/5554 camp, and CODES new Master of Economic Geology short course Advanced Field Skills in [email protected] Economic Geology. Participants are standing or sitting on steeply dipping slates situated close [email protected] to the base of the Cambrian White Spur Formation. These stratigraphically overlie the primary target horizon for volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits during previous mineral exploration LEADERS, PROGRAM 4 in the area. Magmatic and Volcanic Processes Rebecca Carey and Dima Kamenetsky fact mapping, form surface mapping Before travelling to the west coast, Ph: +61 3 6226 2987/7649 and digital mapping techniques, participants spent one day examining [email protected] ‘Anaconda-style’ mapping, structural three drill cores from the mapping area [email protected] measurement and graphic logging that are housed at Mineral Resources LEADERS, PROGRAM 5 techniques, and the use of spectral, Tasmania’s core storage facility in Analytical Research geochemical and remote sensing Hobart, including one that intercepted Leonid Danyushevsky and Ivan Belousov data sets in making and interpreting a narrow interval of low-grade Zn-Pb Ph: +61 3 6226 2469/7489 geological maps. mineralisation. Participants evaluate textural, paragenetic, mineralogical [email protected] The first week of the short course, led and geochemical features of the [email protected] by Dr Robert Scott and CODES PhD mineralised interval in this drill hole student Zeb Zivkovic, was delivered LEADERS, PROGRAM 6 and, together with an assessment concurrently with CODES’ long-running Geophysics and Computational Geosciences of its stratigraphic position, decide Exploration Field Skills mapping camp Michael Roach and Matt Cracknell whether mineralisation is more likely for fourth-year and Masters students. Ph: +61 3 6226 2474/2481 to be Cambrian or Devonian. HyLogger The Exploration Field Skills mapping [email protected] data for all three drill holes provides camp provides participants with the [email protected] further information on the character opportunity to develop or enhance and extent of hydrothermal alteration in existing skills in geological mapping, NEWSLETTER EDITOR the rock sequence from this area. Data core logging and structural analysis, Caroline Mordaunt collected during the subsequent four within a mineral exploration context. [email protected] days of field mapping are combined For this exercise, participants logged with the results of the core logging to CODES – Centre for Ore Deposit drill core from, mapped and interpreted unravel the stratigraphy and structure and Earth Sciences a ~5 km2 area in the highly mineralised of the area, as well as the nature and University of Tasmania Cambrian Mount Read Volcanics. extent of hydrothermal alteration. Private Bag 79, Hobart The field area is <15 km along strike This information provides the basis Tasmania 7001 Australia to the south of the Rosebery volcanic- for an assessment of the remaining Ph: +61 3 6226 2472 hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposit exploration potential of the area, with utas.edu.au/codes and just a few kilometres southwest participants asked to identify any [email protected] of the Henty Gold Mine and has long previously untested areas in which been considered prospective for significant base metal deposits within Cambrian and potentially Devonian 500 m of the surface may exist. base metal deposits.
2 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 The Anaconda mapping exercise received instruction in the mapping involved two days of surface mapping and mechanical interpretation of vein along two traverses situated above the arrays and vein fill textures. Western Tharsis copper deposit and a half-day logging a section of drill core that intersected the ore zones at depth. During the surface mapping exercise, students collected rock samples “[The course] provides for mineralogical analysis using a instruction and training in Terraspec SWIR mineral analyser a variety of … mapping and to identify the main phyllosilicate field skills suitable for use in minerals present. The students used the minerals industry.” this information to refine (or revise!) their Anaconda maps, and to develop empirical exploration models based on the alteration mineral zonation centred on the Western Tharsis deposit. For the final field day of the short Next, participants travelled to George course, before returning to Hobart, Town in the northeast of Tasmania, participants travelled to Bluestone where Dr Scott re-joined the party for Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula to Senior Research Fellow, ARC TMVC Research three days of instruction in structural examine and map features formed Hub, Dr Mike Baker leads mapping of the mapping and analysis techniques. across the magmatic – hydrothermal occurrence of alteration minerals in a bench The first day was spent studying transition, during the latter stages of exposure of the Central Volcanic Complex simply folded turbidites (Silurian granite crystallisation. At Bluestone directly above the Western Tharsis deposit Retreat Formation) at Bellingham, Bay, the students – again led by Lejun at Mt Lyell, for the ‘Anaconda-style’ mapping component of the Masters short course. where participants were introduced Zhang and Mike Baker – completed to form surface and digital mapping another Anaconda-style outcrop using iPads and FieldmoveTM software. mapping exercise in which the At the end of the first week, Dr Scott and The next two days ramped up the spatial and paragenetic relationships most of the Honours students returned to structural complexity, mapping in between multiple intrusive phases, Hobart. Drs Lejun Zhang and Mike Baker multiply deformed Ordovician Stony miarolitic cavities, pegmatite dykes, led the next component of the short Head Sandstone at Beechford, ~20 km unidirectional solidification textures course, an introduction to the Anaconda- west of Bellingham. Here participants (USTs) and hydrothermally-altered method of mapping and logging drill core. used overprinting criteria and collected wall rocks were examined. After this These exercises were also conducted in structural data to resolve the sequence successful first delivery, CODES looks the Mount Read Volcanics, but this time and geometry of at least four fold- forward to offering Advanced Field on Copper Mines of Tasmania’s (CMT) Mt and foliation-forming events that Skills in Economic Geology annually in Lyell mine leases in Queenstown. CODES is affected the turbidites exposed in this the coming years. extremely grateful to Geoff Cordery from area. At Beechford, participants also CMT for facilitating this activity.
MASTER OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OVERVIEW
Dr Robert Scott looks back on to New Zealand became impossible. wished or expected, it is a credit to the a successful 2020 and another Amazingly, the first 10 days were trip leaders, Martin Jutzeler and David exciting year of geology units successfully relocated to Victoria Cooke, that the educational experience ahead for those doing the Master of (Dandenong Ranges Igneous Complex, provided was still well received by all Economic Geology Newer Volcanics Province) and participants. northwestern Tasmania (Cape Grim, Despite the significant disruptions The use of interactive 3D visualisations, Stanley). The planned three-day visit to caused by COVID-19 in 2020, the a virtual field trip, and lectures and the Cambrian Mount Read Volcanics in MEconGeol managed a successful discussion panels featuring leading western Tasmania had to be cancelled transition to online delivery for the ore deposit experts from around as access to many field sites was final three units offered in 2020. A the world were highlights of the Ore not possible, and many participants few days before the start of the field- Deposit Models and Exploration needed to return home before national based intensive unit Volcanology and Strategies short course in June. This and international border closures Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains in unit was delivered online to the were imposed. Although the unit did March, the fieldwork program had largest ever group of students and not proceed as anyone would have to be hastily reorganised, once travel external participants (>200 people
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 3 from Australia, New Zealand, Africa, South and North America, Europe and Asia) to attend an MEconGeol short course. Next up was the Exploration in Brownfield Terrains short course, delivered online in October. Participants were introduced to strategies for visualising and interpreting large real-world minerals KIM BOUNDY ROSEANNA DALE industry datasets. OceanaGold and Kirkland Lake Gold are thanked for the Current student, Current student, provision of datasets prospectivity Master of Economic Geology Master of Economic Geology assessment exercises that form the Supervisors: Mike Baker, Lejun Zhang Supervisor: Angela Escolme core of this unit. Additionally, invited industry experts gave lectures and Project title: Geochemistry and Project title: Au-Ag deportment contributed to discussion panels. geochronology of lithium-enriched variability and the effect on its flotation Completely new practical content had pegmatites in the Bynoe pegmatite and recovery at the Monty VMS Cu-Au to be devised for the 2020 delivery of field, Northern Territory deposit, Western Australia Brownfields, to ensure a successful transition to online teaching. Some Kim Boundy commenced her Masters Throughout the mining and processing of the best student feedback we have research thesis study of the Bynoe of the Monty Cu-Au deposit, large ever received for this unit suggests pegmatite field, south of Darwin, variability has been seen in the that the changes made were a great Northern Territory, in mid-2020. Her recovery of Au-Ag throughout the success. Between October and industry sponsor is Core Lithium Ltd, orebody. Whilst initial geometallurgical December, Matt Cracknell delivered which holds tenements over most of test work focussed on Cu variability, the new Geodata Analytics unit in the known pegmatite occurrences. The processing to date shows a more three online modules. The unit proved Bynoe pegmatite field has historically detailed investigation on Au-Ag so popular that its second delivery been the focus of tin and tantalum deportment is required. mining, but in recent years its potential commenced in February 2021, less than Roseanna Dale hopes to characterise for lithium mineralisation has been two months after completion of the and model this variability in Au- uncovered. There are hundreds of 2020 offering. Ag deportment throughout the pegmatites in the field, but not all are Monty deposit. Using the existing ALL-NEW MECONGEOL lithium enriched. There are six main grade control assays to define SHORT COURSES prospects with resource inventories these characteristics into ore types, that vary in chemistry, grade and In addition to Advanced Field Skills completing flotation test work and morphology. Three are the focus of in Economic Geology (February 2021) using QEMSCAN to analyse the results. early-stage development work by and Geodata Analytics (February–April The end goal is to provide a model to Core Lithium. Kim’s project will seek to 2021), another new unit, Fundamentals the Engineering and Metallurgy teams categorise the geological, geochemical of Economic Geology, will be delivered at Sandfire Resources to enable them and geochronological characteristics online this year (30 August–10 to optimise these Au-Ag ore types to of pegmatites from the Bynoe September). This unit teaches the use for planning and scheduling of pegmatite field. Using this information, fundamental skills needed by all targeted concentrate specifications. she will then seek to constrain the economic geologists, and introduces process of lithium mineralisation “I have thoroughly enjoyed working my the equipment and approaches within the pegmatites and provide a way through the Master of Economic used to recognise and interpret the genetic model for pegmatite lithium Geology degree. The fieldwork and mineralogy, paragenesis, geochemistry mineralisation in Proterozoic terrains intense two-week courses surrounded and geophysical characteristics of rocks and make recommendations for future by your peers and some of the industry’s in ore-forming environments. There is exploration. best, is an environment that I and a particular focus on hand specimen everyone can thrive in. It has provided and microscopic techniques (and tools) Kim is currently working as an me with specialised knowledge and used to resolve sequences of events in independent consultant geologist skills that I can immediately apply to my rocks from ore-forming environments, while undertaking her Masters research job when I get back to work”. and their application to a wide variety activities. As part of her research of exploration, mineral processing and activities, she will be undertaking environmental problems. fieldwork in conjunction with Core Lithium in mid-2021 in the Northern Summaries are given here of the Territory. research theses by current and completing Master of Economic Geology students. Please see page 24 for a list of all Masters short courses running in 2021.
4 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 CODES Master of Economic Geology student Roseanna Dale carrying out underground mapping at the DeGrussa VMS Cu-Au Mine, Western Australia, which is operated by Sandfire Resources.
Lieth de Selincourt’s research project and pyrite, and geochemical vectoring will investigate geochemical variability and fertility appraisals. The aim of the within chlorite and epidote surrounding research project is to contribute to the Donnington prospect at Sandfire ongoing exploration work programs Resources NL’s Temora Cu-Au porphyry and determine how effective mineral project located in the Macquarie Arc, chemistry techniques can be at central New South Wales, to determine adding significant value to exploration if they can be used to vector towards vectoring and targeting within the concealed Cu-Au-Mo mineralised Temora project. LIETH DE SELINCOURT intrusions. Zircon U-Pb dating and “I am excited to be commencing my thesis Current student, geochemistry of intrusions will be on the Temora Cu-Au Porphyry Project and used to constrain their ages and assess Master of Economic Geology have the opportunity to learn from and the potential for zircon chemistry to Supervisors: David Cooke, Mike Baker, work closely with the highly experienced be used as a tool for prospectivity Sebastian Meffre, Matthew Cracknell and skilled research team. It will be a within the district. Pyrite trace element great way to consolidate the knowledge Project title: Application of Mineral chemistry at Fields prospect will aim base I have built since starting this course, Chemistry to Aid Exploration for to give insights into the genesis of gain valuable exposure to the globally Cu-Au-Mo porphyry mineralisation in Please see page 24 for a list of all Masters short courses running in 2021. precious and base metal mineralisation. significant Macquarie Arc mineral district the Temora district, New South Wales, Lieth’s study includes drill core logging of eastern Australia and the porphyry Australia and sampling, mapping of spatial indicator mineral and porphyry vectoring geochemical trends in chlorite, epidote and fertility tools developed at CODES over the past decade.”
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 5 project will involve detailed logging and petrographic characterisation of core from drill hole NDD005 to better understand volcanic facies, alteration and mineralisation at Dobroyde. He aims to synthesise historical and recent drilling data for Dobroyde to assess the potential for future mineral deposit KYLE HUGHES discoveries on the prospect. Current student, Kyle’s project results from a Master of Economic Geology collaboration between the tenement holder, New South Resources, and Supervisors: Sebastien Meffre, Robert a federally funded Linkage project Scott, Jeff Steadman between CODES and the Geological Project title: Volcanic facies, alteration Survey of NSW. His research should and mineralisation at the Dobroyde further the understanding of Cu–Au Au prospect, southwestern Macquarie mineralisation in the Lachlan Orogen. Volcanic Province, NSW CODES Master of Economic Geology student Kyle Hughes’ research addresses the Lucy Jones on site at the Cannington Mine poorly understood Dobroyde Au run by South32 where she works as a mine prospect in central NSW. Dobroyde, geologist. The photo was taken at Cannington prior to drilling a large-diameter drill hole for located in the far west of the Macquarie the installation of a new paste line. Volcanic Province (MVP) 40 km south of Lake Cowal, has been extensively In recent years, there have been times drilled to 300 m depth. The host rocks when elevated levels of zinc have been are andesites correlated with the Temora LUCY JONES reported in lead concentrate. This is Volcanics. Dobroyde has been interpreted due to the visible activation of zinc as an advanced argillic Au system and Current student, early in the flotation circuit. When this alteration at the prospect grades from Master of Economic Geology issue is experienced, plant production an outer propylitic zone to a siliceous Supervisor: Angela Escolme loss occurs and significant blending of core. The andesites are intruded by many concentrate may be necessary to meet Project title: An investigation into the small dykes; however, no mineralising customer requirements. mineral associations and relationship intrusions have yet been identified. between chalcopyrite and sphalerite at It has been determined that copper is In late 2016, New South Resources Cannington Mine, North Queensland the likely catalyst for the early activation drilled three new drill holes on the of zinc. Copper occurs as chalcopyrite prospect, with one (drill hole NDD005, Cannington is a silver, lead and zinc throughout the deposit in different 744.2 m) testing the geology both mine located in northwest Queensland, mineralisation types and lithologies. down plunge of the known mineralised approximately 200 km southeast of Mt In the lead rougher circuit (after grinding) zone, and several hundred metres Isa. The ore at Cannington is processed copper floats easily and quickly. It is below the upper alteration zones. through comminution, flotation, believed that if chalcopyrite is still This drill hole intersected several Au leaching and dewatering. Two types attached to sphalerite after grinding, mineralised intervals, with a maximum of concentrate are produced – lead this will cause zinc to float early. High intercept of 1 m at 9.46 g/t Au. Kyle’s concentrate and zinc concentrate. concentrations of copper in plant feed have not always resulted in early zinc flotation. The aim of this project is to study the mineral associations and relationship between chalcopyrite and sphalerite at Cannington to explain why zinc is activated early in the flotation circuit and predict areas within the deposit that ore containing problematic copper may occur. “I am really enjoying the Master of Economic Geology… I decided to study at CODES because it is tailored towards industry professionals. The coursework Fieldwork in Ecuador: CODES Master of Economic Geology student Carlos Diaz at work in the so far has provided me with additional Alpala Creek within the Cascabel district, northern Ecuador, in 2018. He is looking at what he skills and knowledge that I‘ve been able describes as an “almost new” outcrop, which was produced after a small landslide, due to heavy to apply in my role as a mine geologist.” rain over previous days.
6 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 UPDATES ON OTHER MASTERS PROJECTS:
my Masters research at the University of Tasmania, and about the project – where I had been working for a long time – I felt like it was a dream come true. To have been able to share experiences and to have learned from worldwide amazing geoscientists who were always interested to share their knowledge, will definitely leave a positive mark on my professional CARLOS DIAZ career. I hope I will be able to put into GEORGE MAROA Completed, practice the knowledge that I learned Completed, during my time at CODES to benefit the Master of Economic Geology Master of Economic Geology geological knowledge of my country.” Supervisor: David Cooke Supervisor: Robert Scott Project title: The Cascabel Cu-Au Project title: Characterisation of the porphyry cluster in northern Ecuador geology, mineralisation and genesis of the Bumbo polymetallic sulfide deposit The Cascabel Cu-Au-Ag porphyry within the Busia-Kakamega Greenstone cluster is located in an area of overlap Belt, Western Kenya. between the Eocene and Miocene metallogenic belts of the northern George Maroa recently completed Western Cordillera of Ecuador, and his MEconGeol thesis. Although formed during east-directed low-angle COREY JAGO primary rock textures and mineralogy subduction in the Late Eocene, related Completed, at Bumbo were largely obliterated to eastward migration of the Macuchi Master of Economic Geology during subsequent deformation and arc. This Masters project allowed the contact metamorphism, George’s Supervisors: Sebastien Meffre, David classification of the different rock types detailed petrographic studies and Cooke, Robert Scott identified in the district, the definition of analysis of 4-acid digest multi-element the porphyry-style vein paragenesis and Project title: Spectral analysis of geochemical data indicates that the interpretation of the geochemistry hydrothermal alteration associated the host rocks were predominantly and geochronology of the basement with the Northparkes porphyry Cu-Au (andesitic) volcaniclastic sandstones and host rocks, and the different deposits, New South Wales. with calc-alkaline magmatic arc intrusions that form the three main affinities. George’s research findings porphyry centres in the district, Alpala, Corey Jago has recently submitted his support previous interpretations of Aguinaga and Tandayama – America. MEconGeol thesis. His research involved Bumbo as a volcanic-hosted massive analysing HyLogger hyperspectral sulfide (VHMS) deposit. Lead isotopes During the exploration campaign and data for drill core from the E26 and for the ores suggest an Archean age particularly during diamond drilling, E48 deposits at Northparkes. He found and the overall gold content, and Co/Ni at least 10 major intrusions have been that both major and subtle alteration and Zn/Cd values for the deposit were identified in the three principal porphyry zonation at the deposits could be found to be within the typical ranges centres at Cascabel that include diorites, delineated using the SWIR and TIR for Archaean VHMS deposits. Analysis quartz diorites and hornblende quartz spectral data. of the whole rock geochemical data diorites that have been grouped as pre-, also revealed extensive Na-depletion syn-, intra- and late-mineralisation, and Corey developed scalar algorithms in the footwall, as is characteristic for which host porphyry-style veining and from key spectral absorption features to VHMS deposits. Cu-Au(-Ag) mineralisation. Several minor interpret compositional, intensity and intrusions have also been identified, crystallinity variations of spectrally active “As I await the final grading of my thesis, which lack significant mineralisation. minerals with the voluminous dataset. I must say that my experience at UTAS The proper identification and He developed geochemical and spectral was wonderful. I am confident that the classification of these intrusions in the discrimination and vectoring tools for Master of Economic Geology degree that different porphyry centres at Cascabel near-miss and fertility assessments. I will earn from CODES will soon open helped with the development of a In particular, coupling of the newly great opportunities for me. Many thanks magmatic-hydrothermal genetic model, developed white mica scalars and trace to all the staff and students at CODES.” which will allow a better understanding element ratio vectors (from geochemical of the geological controls in an data) successfully distinguished zones of underexplored region of Ecuador, uneconomic, late-stage phyllic Au-Mo providing a key reference point for mineralisation from highly prospective future geological exploration here. porphyry-style Cu-Au. “Having the opportunity to join CODES was one of the best moments of my career. As soon as I knew that I would do
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 7 COSMIC: THE AUSTRALIAN EARTH SCIENCES CONVENTION 2021
CODES/Earth Sciences staff and students were the chief organisers of the Geological Society of Australia (GSA) debut virtual Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2021. Here Dr Indrani Mukherjee gives a summary of the proceedings.
Left: Earth Sciences Head of Discipline at UTAS Associate Professor Sebastien Meffre gave an opening address at the virtual 2021 Australian Earth Sciences Convention, which was attended by around 600 delegates from all over the country. CODES-TMVC was among several important sponsors. Right: Dr Megan Clark (right), Head of the Australian Space Agency, was one of the AESC 2021 Plenary speakers. Here CODES PhD student Hannah Moore, who chaired the Plenary session and hosted the Q&A which followed, gives a closing address after thanking Dr Clark.
The 2021 convention, themed ‘Core newest information and research • Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas to Cosmos’, was held entirely online across a range of topics, including new (CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, between 9–12 February. Even though insights into industry (exploration, and 2020 Tasmanian Australian the delegates could not be welcomed mining and extraction), geological of the Year): Engagement, diversity in person to the beautiful island state regions such as the Tasmanides as well and interdisiplinarity to tackle of Tasmania, the ‘Welcome to Country’ as innovations in remote sensing and future challenges by a proud Tasmanian Aboriginal digital data. Exciting virtual field trips, • Dr Megan Clark (Head of the woman, Nala Mansell, superbly graced using Dr Michael Roach’s world-leading Australian Space Agency): Planetary the official online welcome ceremony. virtual geology visualisations, were geology, Australia’s involvement in very well-received. The participants Around 600 attendees, from a range Moon to Mars were given access to all presentations of sectors including the minerals and from 1 February so they were able to Diversity and inclusion events were a petroleum industries, government familiarise themselves with the large highlight for AESC this year. Diversity departments, research and education number of topics. The online live Q&A coordinators Ms Hannah Moore and institutions and consultancy groups sessions and discussion forum chats myself promoted diversity by hosting registered for the convention. were prolific and also well-received. a two-part session that focussed on The GSA was very proud to host its inspiring and moving stories from The convention showcased high- first ever session on ‘Indigenous delegates. The session discussed profile Australian scientists and history and its influence on science’ at a broad spectrum of topics. Every industry leaders: an Australian geoscience convention. conference presenter had the option to The session featured top experts on • Professor Martin Van Kranendonk share a slide with an opinion, statistics indigenous research in Australia, who (Director of the Australian Centre or other information about diversity informed delegates about the breadth for Astrobiology Institute at UNSW): at the conclusion of their presentation and depth of indigenous knowledge Searching for life on Mars in our as well. The awe-inspiring ‘Picture a and its implications for science. own backyard: the quest for a scientist’ documentary was available to second genesis. The technical program committee view on demand. received around 400 abstracts • Murray Hitzman (Director, iCRAG): Both CODES-TMVC and the GSA-TAS representing research from various The energy transition: Implications for division were sponsors for the AESC. branches of Earth sciences. The geoscience – a view from the north convention’s six themes offered the
8 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 FINALLY, A FACE-TO-FACE GEOLOGY FORUM
After months of lockdown and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CODES and Earth Sciences staff and students were pleased to finally be able to meet in person at a geology gathering on Tasmania’s west coast during December. CODES Master of Science student Nathaly Guerrero reports.
Left: CODES Master of Science students Nathaly Guerrero (left) and Karla Morales with Adam Wright underground at the Adelaide Mine at Dundas, where crocoite is mined. Adam runs the mine, which sells large specimens of crocoite, Tasmania’s official Mineral Emblem. Right: The post-Geoscience Forum field trip group is at the site of the former Zeehan smelters, on the eastern side of the Henty Road (between Strahan and Zeehan). Dr Tony Webster (trip leader) is pointing out the outcrops of folded Eldon Group sediments exposed in cuttings at the rear of the main smelter floor. The smelters were once the destination for much of the production of the field and their closure in 1913 meant the true death knell of the original Zeehan Ag Pb mines. (Photo: Ron Gregory)
The Tasmania Geoscience Forum, to the main activities with which The forum was very well-attended – in organised by the Tasmanian branch CODES/Earth Sciences is currently fact, due to COVID-19 social distancing of AusIMM, was held in the Henty involved. And Dr Julie Hunt gave a rules it was booked out and many Room, Strahan Village, on the west presentation on geometallurgical more people would have liked to coast of Tasmania, in early December research carried out in conjunction attend, so future events such as this 2020. About 50 people attended. with industry entitled ‘Geological will take into account the logistics of Most of the topics discussed during contributions to geometallurgy: Rocks social distancing to allow a greater the forum were about the geology of first’. The day of presentations was number of attendees. Tasmania, in which Thomas Schaap, followed by an industry dinner. It was both interesting and important Zebedee Zivkovic (both CODES PhD As part of the forum, two short field to be able to hold a face-to-face students) and Olivia Wilson (CODES- trips were conducted for a limited gathering after a long time in which TMVC Honours student) stood out with number of attendees on the day after all our research and knowledge summaries of their research projects. the presentations: generated had been shared via online A total of 15 speakers gave conferences due to the COVID-19 Field Trip 1: Adelaide Mine presentations – they ranged situation and its related safety Underground Tour, Dundas (led by from industry and exploration restrictions worldwide. Being able to Adam Wright) representatives to UTAS and CODES have face-to-face discussions helps researchers, and there was also a video Field Trip 2: Historic Surface Features of people to engage with the issues much address by the Tasmanian Minster for the Zeehan Mineral Field (led by Dr Tony better and to conduct networking. Mines, Guy Barnett. Associate Professor Webster from the Geodiscovery Group/ Sebastien Meffre gave an introduction Adjunct Senior Lecturer at CODES)
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 9 GEODATA ANALYTICS – NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE
Dr Matt Cracknell, Research Fellow in Earth Informatics, ARC TMVC Research Hub, leads the new Geodata Analytics Masters short course. He is very pleased about the enthusiastic response to this new course, which is currently being run for a second time and is proving just as popular as the first time round. He sees a bright future for its continued inclusion in the Master of Economic Geology program and says that feedback received when it first ran has been incorporated into the current iteration.
Screenshots: a compilation of screens from the first running of the CODES Masters short course Geodata Analytics. This course first ran in October–December 2020 and is currently being repeated for another cohort of students and industry professionals.
CODES successfully wrapped up the around half the students were enrolled to ask questions and interact with first offering of the Geodata Analytics in the Masters program and half were each other and with teaching staff. Masters short course late last year. industry geologists. In addition, start-up workshops are being held across different time zones, This short course gives geologists Being fully online means that the with the aim of making the learning fundamental data analytics knowledge Geodata Analytics short course is truly experience more appealing. and skills that can be applied to global, with students from Oceania, geoscience problems. Students learn Europe, Asia and the Americas Both the 2020 and 2021 offerings have to generate reproducible data analysis participating. Furthermore, the short reached their 30-student capacity, workflows and communicate results to course structure allows students to highlighting the popularity of this a broad audience, individually and as a access learning materials when it course and the need for geologists team. It is currently running again. suits them. from all walks of life to gain data analytics skills. While the next offering The Geodata Analytics short course is Based on student feedback, several of this short course is not until later in offered fully online through the UTAS small but important changes have 2022, we are working towards making short course platform. This means that been made in 2021, mostly around the first part of the course, which we can accommodate both students encouraging student engagement, focusses on self-directed learning, enrolled in the Master of Economic which can be challenging in an online available all year round. Geology program and industry-based environment. These changes include geologists who want to upskill. In 2020, a dedicated chat room for students Watch this space!
10 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 NEW SPECIAL ISSUES ON MINERAL DEPOSITS OF SE ASIA
Professor Khin Zaw was involved with two research publications on the topic of geology, tectonics and ore deposits of SE Asia, and another on precious gems, during 2020, and here he explains the importance of his research outcomes.
special-issue/10RM9J71TTD). Part I presents new information about metallogenesis in the SE Asia-Tethyan tectonic domain including 19 papers covering Peninsular Malaysia-Sumatra, Northern Laos, and Sanjiang Tethyan to the Eastern Kunlun Mountains. Part II includes 25 papers dealing with metallogenesis in the SE Asia-Pacific tectonic domain Sundaland, through the Philippine Mobile Belt-Sulawesi arc to the eastern area of the South China region. This new information on the geodynamic and metallogenic understanding of East and SE Asia will provide an important driver in unlocking the untapped diverse mineral wealth of the region and an enormous impetus for mining and exploration companies to make further major discoveries. Above: Professor Khin Zaw (in CODES cap) leads a group of geologists on a visit to Mogok in what is termed Myanmar’s ‘Ruby Land’. Here they look down on the mist-filled gem valley where The Minerals SI titled ‘Mineralogy the city of Mogok lies in northern Myanmar. and Geochemistry of Ruby’ provides Inset: This large ruby, said to be worth around AUD$2 billion, is from Mogok and is displayed in a a window into the world of ruby museum in Myanmar. deposits. This publication is of interest to anyone on the planet who wants 2020 was a tumultuous year for Faure, Khin Zaw, Van Tri Tran and to know about rubies! It covers researchers due to the COVID-19 Van Vuong Nguyen (https://www. recent advances in techniques and pandemic. Universities and academic sciencedirect.com/journal/journal- technology relating to studies of institutions across the globe were faced of-asian-earth-sciences/special- genesis and geographic typing for ruby with unprecedented challenges and issue/10G6V51C68L). It provides new deposits across the world, and why uncertainty. However, online teaching data in the areas of stratigraphy, Mogok rubies from Myanmar stand out and seminars, as well as editing and paleogeographic reconstructions, as the most exquisite and beautiful in writing papers, were not hindered by magmatic and metamorphic petrology, the world of gemstones. the pandemic for the teachers and geochronology, geochemistry, mineral For more information: https://www. researchers at CODES. resources and tectonics. It also includes mdpi.com/journal/minerals/special_ detailed contributions and large Professor Khin Zaw was able to issues/Mineralogy_Ruby syntheses dealing with the Indochina work from home where he edited, block, and its relationships with contributed to, and quietly completed neighbouring blocks such as South three special issues (SI): The Journal of China, Sibumasu and the Philippines Asian Earth Sciences (JAES) SI on SE Asia Mobile Belt. contains 17 papers, the Ore Geology Reviews SI has a massive 44 papers, and The Ore Geology Reviews SI is edited by the SI of Minerals, entitled ‘Mineralogy Xiaoyong Yang, Khin Zaw and Azman and Geochemistry of Ruby’ has seven Bin Ghani. It provides new results and papers. information for magmatism, tectonic evolution, origin and the timing of ore The JAES issue’s focus on ‘Geology, formation for individual deposits and geodynamics and mineral resources types on a local and regional scale of SE Asia’ provides insights from and broader metallogenesis in the the GEOSEA XV Congress, held in region (https://www.sciencedirect. Hanoi in 2018, and is edited by Michel com/journal/ore-geology-reviews/
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 11 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
In this issue we talk to Dr Patrick Sack, who graduated from CODES with a PhD in 2009. Patrick is now working in Yukon and enjoys combining his geology research work in this remote region of Canada with adventurous family trips in bracing climes! ANCIENT ROCKS, MODERN FAMILY
What are the things you enjoy most grades high enough, I convinced the about this role? University of Victoria to allow me back. After my first semester of geology I love working on mineral deposits classes, I have never really looked back. and mineral systems. This job allows I completed my undergrad at UVic and me to conduct research on a variety of then headed south for CODES. deposit-types making every project a new and exciting adventure. I also get Plenty of things have shaped my to work at scales that vary from the career and life path; family is the submicron to the orogen. At the micro- most important. My family expanded scale, I have worked on samples from shortly before I went to CODES when I the Carlin-type gold deposits recently married Nikki Krocker and then again discovered in Yukon using techniques my sons Elliott and Lucas were born such as microprobe and LA-ICP-MS to during my candidacy. Elliott was born DR PATRICK SACK collect trace element data from the thin in Vancouver about half way through Regional metallogenist, gold-bearing rims. The incredibly small my candidacy and Lucas in Hobart Yukon Geological Survey thickness (<1 micron) of these rims has a few weeks before I submitted my PhD completed at CODES in led me to collaborate with researchers thesis. My daughter Ruby was born 2009 entitled ‘Characterization at Oxford and the Colorado School of back in Whitehorse a few years after of footwall lithologies to the Mines where they have access to even I finished and she often laments that Greens Creek volcanic-hosted finer-scale tools such as nanoSIMS she didn’t get to join the rest of us on massive sulfide (VHMS) deposit, and atom probe. At the orogen scale, our Tassie adventure! I have contributed to a study of Late Alaska, USA’. Your career highpoint/source of Triassic to Jurassic plutons across the greatest satisfaction as a geologist? Intermontane terranes of southern Yukon, a distance of several hundred As a government geologist I derive What is your current job and your kilometres. Using petrography, a lot of pride from providing high- work responsibilities? geochronology, geobarometry and quality and (somewhat!) timely data I am currently employed with isotope geochemistry we have been and interpretations to the exploration the Yukon Geological Survey in able to refine our understanding of industry. Since I joined the survey in Whitehorse, Yukon, where I work as plutonic suites and better constrain the 2011, explorers have discovered what the regional metallogenist. My work is tectonic history during this period. has become recognised as one of the best examples of Carlin-type gold primarily research. Most of the projects How did you get there and how have outside of Nevada. I have been very I work on are collaborations between past roles shaped your path? academia, other survey geologists and lucky to work on the related rocks industry. During summer months, I I grew up in Dawson City, Yukon, and and to contribute micro-analytical am mostly in the field, in either small spent a lot of time in the bush as a kid. I data that documents some of the two-person fly camps or working out was also a nerd in school but struggled similarities between the Yukon and of larger industry exploration camps. to make the leap from small town to Nevada deposits. I have also had the A day may consist of core logging or big city life. As a result, I was invited by pleasure of contributing to a study geologic mapping at anything from the University of Victoria to not come of plutons in Yukon that is helping trench to regional scales. During back after my first year. So, I took a ‘gap us refine the tectonic history of the winter months, I organise samples for year’ and travelled Australia. When I Late Triassic to Jurassic in the North analytical work and publish. In a given returned to Canada, I developed my 20 American Cordillera. year, I may write government ‘grey rolls of film (because that was a thing in literature’ papers, publish a map or 1998) and realised that all my pictures write journal articles. Prior to COVID were of rocks and rock formations. I I also travelled to labs to conduct knew I loved the bush and, clearly, I analyses such as LA-ICP-MS on pyrite loved the rocks so after a semester and attended conferences. of college auto mechanics to get my
12 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 What did you specialise in at CODES, The thing I enjoyed most about CODES and so there are good things about how did this help you get where you was the community. I still fondly increased connectivity. However, are and what did you enjoy most remember the tea room and barbecue kitchen tents are quiet and empty in about CODES? discussions about cricket and Aussie the evening and a bit of community rules football. Nothing like being a kid appears to be lost in camps today. I While at CODES I did a study of the from northern Canada and being asked still don’t connect to the internet in my Greens Greek volcanic-hosted (NOT by Peter McGoldrick and Tony Crawford own camps and the one to two months genic!) massive sulfide deposit in what you thought about the Hawks’ without internet (email) is to me a southeast Alaska, USA. My supervisors chances this year! luxury that few others can afford. were Ron Berry and Bruce Gemmell, and Andy West, a mine geologist. How has the industry changed since Words of wisdom for up-and-coming As part of my study, I took an idea you were at CODES? And how do you geologists graduating from CODES of Ron’s and worked on developing see it developing in the future? (especially given the COVID-19 an automated method for finding pandemic and how this might One thing that has changed a lot in the small zircons in mafic rocks and used change things in the future)? past 20 years is connectivity. I visit a lot the resulting geochronology data to of larger industry camps and when I Geology is about rocks. No matter demonstrate the rocks immediately started in the field in 2001, the ‘fancy’ what fancy analytical tool you use, below the deposit were over a camps might have a dial-up satellite what scale you work at or what hundred million years older than internet connection; most camps problem you are trying to solve, the deposit itself. This initial foray into did not. The people in camp became it starts with rocks. Make sure the zircon geochronology has been very your best friends and worst enemies. foundation of documenting rocks and helpful in my current role, as one Evenings were free of ‘head office field relationships is solid and you will of the primary questions when hassle’ and games were played. Fast always be able to use those samples or working at a regional scale is how forward to today, when camp internet observations regardless of what new the rocks relate; geochronology is quality ranks ahead of most other tool is invented, what finer scale you an important way to document conditions (food, tent mate, scenery…) need to answer your question or what (or not) a temporal relationship. for determining if it is a ‘good’ camp. new problem you are trying to solve. Logistics are easier, life is less disrupted
Family fun: “Taken July 2019 at Glacier Lake, southeast Alaska, a short hike off the lower Stikine River. This lake is at the toe of the Great Glacier, evidence of which is floating behind Patrick and his children (L–R): Ruby, Lucas and Elliott. Not seen is the children’s mother, Nikki! For 13 days on this river, we had >25 °C weather and spent every spare moment swimming in the glacier-fed waters of the Stikine. Glorious.” CONTINUED OVER PAGE
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 13 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Careers are long, COVID will be short. Focus on life and being happy; when it’s all over, there will be plenty of time to focus on careers. And any little-known facts about yourself? Life is a team effort and as such achievements are shared between Nikki and me. I consider it a notable achievement for us that we had two children while I was doing a PhD. Nikki, Elliott, Lucas, Ruby and I are keen adventurers. These days we adventure locally and have had many a grand adventure. One of my favourites was during spring break in 2017 when we rented a camper and drove 2500 km from Whitehorse, Yukon to Tuktoyuktuk, Northwest Territories and back. It was -20o to -30o C the entire time and nearly 400 km of that trip was on an ice road! Literally a road ploughed on the frozen Mackenzie River from Inuvik to the Arctic Ocean and then on the ocean along the coast to Tuk. The pingos are amazing. Orange light: This photo was taken in August 2014 at the Nick property in the Ogilvie Another favourite adventure was the Mountains of north-central Yukon. This property is the type-locality for a strange type of nickel- 13 days we spent rafting the lower molybdenum (NiMo) sulfide mineralisation in the Paleozoic Selwyn basin. Some at CODES may Stikine River in northern British Columbia prefer the term highly metalliferous black shales as recently described by Sean Johnson, Ross and southeast Alaska. The camping and Large and others. Some of the rocks in the background of this photo have been analysed by glaciers are both outstanding. LA-ICP-MS at CODES. The brilliant orange is the result of high floodwaters depositing iron oxides as water levels drop after spring melt. Not many explorers would miss this colour anomaly! My son Lucas’ favourite personal However, the corresponding mineralised interval is only 10–15 centimetres thick and is quite hard trivia question is “Where was I born?” to see in outcrop. because being born in Tassie is SO cool!
GOOD NEWS ON EARTH SCIENCES STUDENT NUMBERS!
First-year first-semester student numbers have increased significantly over the past year to 120 students enrolling in a renamed unit now called ‘Planet Earth’. It is likely that the cause of the increase is due to a number of factors including changes to the BSc with the removal of some compulsory units in other parts of the degree, a completely online version of first-year Earth Science units adding to our normal delivery and possibly the high demand for Earth Science graduates. Academic staff will be working hard to retain these students into the second- year units. First-year Earth Sciences student numbers have actually Dr Clare Miller (left) and Izzy von Lichtan (second from left) teaching a first-year practical at doubled over the past three years. Blinking Billy Point on the River Derwent near Hobart on 1 March 2021.
14 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 INCREASING CORE STRENGTH
number of users and stakeholders have better access to the core samples. Dr McNeill said that the number of users of the core library is steadily growing. “Between 2017 and 2020 the number of visitors to the core library increased by 35 percent, from 455 to 615 per annum”. Among these are a substantial number of CODES/Earth Sciences students, as well as participants in several of the Master of Economic Geology courses run by CODES. Associate Professor Sebastien Meffre from Earth Sciences at UTAS said that the upgrades would be a big step forward and would improve the learning outcomes for students from CODES/Earth Sciences, as well as assisting UTAS and visiting researchers. LICENCE TO DRILL Every company in Tasmania with a licence or lease to carry out mining or exploration is required by law to deposit drill core with MRT, and the facility is also used to archive geotechnical core from organisations such as the Hydro, Entura, Tasmania Irrigation and geotechnical consultancies. It also houses samples collected by MRT’s own geologists and geoscientists during their research. It currently contains drill core that would measure 770 kilometres if it were laid out end to end. “The current facility was constructed in 1991 and has been incrementally extended over the past 30 years, Dr Andrew McNeill, Chief Government Geologist (left), with Associate Professor Sebastien Meffre, with the most recent expansion Head of the Discipline of Earth Sciences, at the MRT Mornington Core Library. The upgrades to this facility will greatly benefit CODES/Earth Sciences students and staff, who will have better being a roof-lift in 2014. Engineering access to samples for their research and labs on-site. constraints, and the requirement to have adequate layout space for drill core logging, sampling and analysis CODES and the Discipline of Earth The vast library of drill core and (using the Hylogger) mean that Sciences will benefit from upgrades samples at Mornington “provide an storage capacity in the existing facility to the Mineral Resources Tasmania irreplaceable reference library of cannot be further increased and (MRT) Mornington Core Library on Tasmania’s geology”, said Dr McNeill. when additional storage is required Hobart’s eastern shore. Dr Andrew This resource is used by the exploration then a new building will need to be McNeill, now Chief Government and mining sectors, the construction constructed to house the expanding Geologist and formerly a researcher and infrastructure sectors, as well as for drill core and sample collections”, at CODES, says he hopes that the academic research and teaching. So, it said Dr McNeill. current upgrades to laboratories is both a vital teaching tool and a trove and research facilities will form the of information for prospective miners To read an ABC Rural item about the first part of an expansion program and researchers. recent upgrades to the Mornington that will see the storage capacity for The current upgrades, funded by the Core Library, go to: https://www. drill core substantially increased. State Government, will see $2.4 million abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-01-19/ spent on updating the laboratories hobart-rock-library-filled-with-mineral- and research areas so that the growing samples/13060914
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 15 INCA TEAM TRIUMPHS!
CODES Masters student Victor and Masters student at UTAS), Sylvie Torres led the Inca Team that Littledale (Masters student at Brigham took out the first prize in a highly Young university), Juan Carlos and regarded international competition Orlando Bazan (Masters students for mineral geoscience university from San Marcos University), and Saul students. He outlines the award and Romero, Yaldri Bravo and Fernando what it means to him. Herrera (undergraduate students from San Marcos University). The team The Frank Arnott – Next Generation mentor was Alberto Torres (Professor at Explorers Award (NGEA™) was the University of San Marcos). presented virtually at the PDAC 2021 convention in Toronto, Canada, in For me it was an honour to work with early March. It is a highly prestigious such great people and professionals award in which multidisciplinary along this journey, from which I teams come together to interpret learnt a lot. Furthermore, this win was complex geoscience datasets from possible because from the beginning Striking gold: The victorious Inca Team, with mineralised provinces to identify we shared the same vision of doing CODES Masters student and team leader Victor Torres pictured (top left) alongside his exploration targets. The Inca Team high-quality work that can be applied teammates; the Inca Team won the prestigious built their submission on the Yukon to the mining industry. We took into Frank Arnott – Next Generation Explorers Plateau Dataset on a foundation consideration the ESG (environmental, Award at the recent 2021 PDAC conference, of community engagement and social, governance) factors, while which was run online in early March. sustainability inspired by Inca cultural striving for scientific excellence for traditions, and developed a series of the next discovery, and we took the to the University of Western Australia exploration targets based on weights opportunity to show a bit of our (UWA), and the third place to the of evidence modelling of a complex culture, which was applied as the basis Camborne School of Mines (UK). array of geological, geochemical and of our methodology. Read more about the Frank Arnott geophysical datasets. Our team received the award for Award at: https://www.pdac.ca/ The multidisciplinary team members first place along with prize money of members/students/faa/about-the- were myself (Victor Torres, team leader CAN$5,000. The second place went award
DAVID COOKE: SEG DISTINGUISHED LECTURER 2021
The Director of CODES, Professor David’s role as Distinguished Lecturer David Cooke, has been honoured by will include presenting keynote talks the Society of Economic Geologists at meetings where the Society is (SEG) by being selected as their involved, such as the SEG conference Distinguished Lecturer for 2021. in Whistler, Canada (September 2021). David’s talk is entitled “New advances A major objective of the SEG is to in geochemical exploration – defining disseminate basic and applied scientific the subtle, but giant, geochemical information to the economic geology footprints of porphyry Cu and Au community regarding mineral deposits deposits using mineral chemistry”. and mineral resources. To help achieve In his role as an ambassador for the this objective, each year it selects SEG this year, David is also offering a Distinguished Lecturer and three to present this talk to SEG student Traveling Lecturers. The Distinguished chapters, which can either reach Lecturer is selected based on pre- out to him directly or via the SEG to eminence in economic geology, either on request a presentation. Professor David Cooke (fourth from left) some phase of scientific research or on explains the geological features of the the application of the science to minerals David can be contacted at: Domeyko Fault transect, northern Chile, exploration and/or development. [email protected] to a group of students.
16 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 THE LIGHTER SIDE OF ROCKS
The COVID-19 pandemic has Comedy break: inspired geoscience communities participants in the late to develop new online networking January GeoHUG Zoom meeting talk geology and communication opportunities with a bit of humour on that have significantly enhanced the side in the form of outreach for those communities an opening session from across the globe. One of those stand-up comic Daniel initiatives is GeoHUG (Humans Muggleton (in red jacket). United with Geology), which was created by Jessica Keast from CoreSafe Core Solutions & Prospectors Supplies. Jessica’s vision for GeoHUG is for it to be a global platform to connect, laugh, share ends with a networking/conversation and Scott Halley discussing ‘Igneous ideas, information and knowledge session via Zoom. CODES staff and chemistry made easy for Exploration with the wider geology community. collaborators have been involved in Geologists’ in late March. GeoHUG meetings are held on Friday the 2021 GeoHUG series, with Professor afternoons (AEST) and are distinctive in David Cooke presenting on ‘Geological More information about GeoHUG that they kick off with a short session evolution of Late Ordovician to can be found at https://geohug. rocks/ including links to past from a local comedian, who is followed Early Silurian alkalic porphyry Au-Cu presentations and recordings. by a topical invited presentation, and deposits at Cadia, NSW’ in late January
CHERRY ON TOP…AN ACCOLADE FOR FORMER CODES PHD STUDENT
Dr Alexander Cherry, who The article can be found in AJES, vol. completed his PhD at CODES and 65/5 at: https://doi.org/10.1080/081200 See info about the GSA Tas Division: https://www.gsa.org.au/Public/ graduated in 2019, has just been 99.2018.1465473 Divisions/Tasmania/Public/Divisions/ awarded the Geological Society of GSA Tasmania Division committee Tasmania.aspx?hkey=63e436a3-e31c- Australia’s D.I. Groves Award. This member Associate Professor Rebecca 45b2-8d7b-f7543465b46b award is presented to the best paper Carey said: published in the Australian Journal Our super-cool website: of Earth Sciences by a young author. ‘This is a great time to encourage you all to join the Geological Society of https://gsatasmania.wixsite.com/home His paper was entitled Australia’s Tasmanian Division. We have ‘Tectonothermal events in the fun field trips, and there are some great Go here to join: Olympic IOCG Province constrained speakers lined up for this year’. https://www.gsa.org.au/ by apatite and REE-phosphate geochronology’, and was presented to him virtually at the recent online Australian Earth Sciences Convention. Dr Cherry currently works for Alkane Resources as an exploration geologist. His PhD looked at geochronological constraints on genesis, setting and later modification of the Olympic Dam and Acropolis IOCG/IOA deposits, South Australia.
Left: Dr Alexander Cherry, recent recipient of the SEG’s D.I. Groves Award. Centre: Part of a figure from Dr Cherry’s article about the Olympic IOCG Province: Apatite from the Acropolis prospect. (a) Coarse-grained, red apatite (Ap) with iron oxide (hematite; Hm) and minor chlorite (Chl) in a vein hosted by Gawler Range Volcanics (GRV) (OD1068, ACD21, 447.5 m) (Cherry et al. 2018, Fig. 3A). Right: The D.I. Groves Award medal.
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 17 KING ISLAND GEOLOGY PARADISE
Dr Michael Roach carries out capture of 360-degree imagery for use in virtual tours using a camera mounted on a 6 m telescopic pole.
In December 2020 Dr Michael Roach in eastern Australia. These units are produced the world-class tungsten and Dr Robert Scott visited King Island intruded by Neoproterozoic granitoids skarn deposits at Grassy. off the northwest coast of mainland and are unconformably overlain by Tasmania to collect imagery for a sequence of Neoproterozoic rocks The virtual tour of the geology of King the production of a series of virtual including correlates of ‘snowball Earth’ Island was produced for the Australian tours. The geology of King Island is Marinoan glacial deposits and a thick Earth Sciences Convention in February spectacular and diverse. Metamorphic sequence of rift-related basalts. The 2021 and can be viewed at: https://www. rocks on the southwest and west coasts Neoproterozoic strata are intruded ausgeol.org/assets/media/uploads/ are some of the oldest rocks exposed by early Carboniferous granites that tours/Kingisland/index.html
Left: Contact metamorphosed metasedimentary rocks at Cape Wickham, near the northern tip of King Island. Right: Dr Michael Roach collecting photography for production of 3D photo-realistic virtual models, City of Melbourne Bay, eastern King Island.
18 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 ALL SMILES: DECEMBER 2020 CODES GRADUATIONS
The COVID-19 pandemic meant that many graduations were held virtually in 2020, though some students were able to graduate at face-to-face ceremonies held in Hobart at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in December. These graduations were also live-streamed for those who were unable to attend.
Top left: Professor David Cooke with CODES PhD graduate Dr Erin Lawlis at a face-to-face graduation ceremony held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel during December 2020. Erin’s PhD was titled ‘Au-bearing pyritic ore of Lihir, Papua New Guinea: Its physiochemical character and nature of the causative fluids’. Top right: Graduating CODES-TMVC Honours students Wei Xuen Heng and Olivia Wilson at the Grand Chancellor following presentation of their graduation certificates. Left: Dr Amos Garay proudly displays his PhD graduation certificate in front of the UTAS Sandy Bay Campus buildings. Amos graduated ‘virtually’ in October 2020, and his research topic was ‘Magnetite and epidote chemistry and textures at Las Bambas Cu-Au-Fe skarn, Peru: Assessing district and deposit-scale fertility – implications for ore genesis and exploration’. He is now working for Rio Tinto on their Winu project in WA. Above: Earth Sciences BSc graduates with their teacher and mentor (L–R): Gypsy Mahar, Zak Weidinger, Dr Karin Orth, Olivia Wilson (Honours) and Jack Elliott-Tideman.
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 19 CHRISTMAS BBQ YES, WE DID HAVE AT LEAST ONE SUMMER’S DAY IN TAS…
The weather looked kindly on the CODES/Earth Sciences crew as another year rolled round and it was time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy some relaxation with colleagues. Social distancing and seated eating in practice of course… A few days before Christmas 2020 too were enjoyed by all. On a more distancing proving a challenge for the CODES Director Professor David Cooke serious note, Dave reminded everyone voting process. So, Dave, Sebastien and and Head of the Discipline of Earth in his speech that many people at Deputy Director of CODES Professor Sciences Associate Professor Sebastien the gathering had friends and family Leonid Danyushevsky each chose their Meffre got the sausages (and veggie in distant places who were suffering preferred winner from a pool of 24 burgers) cooking in order to celebrate because of COVID-19, and that several entries (smaller than previous years for the close of the year that we would CODES/Earth Sciences people were obvious reasons). In what is becoming never forget. unable to visit their families due to a tradition, each of the three winners the restrictions brought about by the received a bottle of Tasmanian vino. A good turnout made for a pleasant pandemic. We realised how lucky we afternoon in the CODES Rock Garden have been in Tasmania too – so far. One of the three winning photographs is with catering organised by CODES shown here; the others can be accessed administrative staff, in particular Karen The 2020 CODES Photo Competition at: https://www.utas.edu.au/codes/ Huizing. Good food and a drink or was a little different with social codes-annual-photo-comp
Left, talking shop: L–R: Professor Leonid Opposite page top left, keeping the Opposite page top right, relaxed lunch: Danyushevsky, Dr Karin Orth, Rock Library Christmas spirit alive: (L–R) CODES PhD Tucking into their meal are (L–R): Laboratory Curator Izzy von Lichtan, Associate Professor student Hannah Moore, Dr Joshua Phillips, technician Maxwell Morissette, CODES PhD Ron Berry and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Administrative Assistant Sophie Richardson, student Peerapong Sritangsirikul, visiting Julie Hunt enjoying the shade over lunch... CODES Maintenance and Field Equipment student Fengqin Ran from China and 2020 Right, masterchefs: L–R: Associate Professor Officer Meagan Porter, Senior Administrative CODES-TMVC Honours student Wei Xuen Heng. Sebastien Meffre and CODES Director Assistant Trish McKay, Lecturer Dr Angela Professor David Cooke on the tools at the Escolme and Senior Research Fellow Dr CODES 2020 Christmas barbecue... Martin Jutzeler.
20 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 One of three winning photos in the 2020 CODES Photo Competition was this fieldwork shot taken by Dr Karin Orth: ‘Second year KEA208 Earth Materials and Interior students undertaking detailed mapping at Piccaninny Point, eastern Tasmania, February 2020’.
CODES INDUSTRY PARTNERS 2021 We are pleased to announce that First Quantum Minerals has increased its level of support in 2021 and is now a Gold Industry Partner. Please contact us if you would like your company to be an important supporter of CODES’ research.
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ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 21 CODES – CENTRE FOR ORE DEPOSIT AND EARTH SCIENCES MAGMATIC INDICATOR MINERALS SYMPOSIUM 2021
Magmatic indicator minerals—exploration and research applications for magmatic and hydrothermal ore deposits The Magmatic Indicator Minerals Symposium forms a standalone one-day event as part of the broader Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Hydrology and Geochronology short course. 1 June 2021 — Online 9 AM (UTC+10)
In the past decade, significant research SCHEDULE: efforts have been devoted to mineral Accessory minerals in magmatic rocks (zircon, apatite, monazite, titanite, chemistry studies to assist exploration for porphyry and other varieties of magnetite): mineralogy, trace element geochemistry and applications to research magmatic and hydrothermal ore and exploration—Michael Baker deposits. A range of magmatic indicator U-Pb dating methods for magmatic minerals—Sebastien Meffre minerals have been identified that can be used to identify the presence Zircon composition applied to porphyry copper exploration—Robert Lee of, or potential for, magmatic and hydrothermal mineralisation (e.g., Developing magnetite chemistry in mineral exploration for Ni-Cu-PGE deposits— zircon, apatite, magnetite, titanite, Sarah Dare monazite). These accessory phases can also be used for geochronology and Porphyry indicator minerals (PIMS): apatite case study—Farhad Bouzari isotopic tracing, and some occur both Zircon fertility assessments: case study of the Cowal district, NSW— as magmatic and hydrothermal phases, Christopher Leslie making them potentially powerful tools to add to the explorer’s toolbox. Ideally, PANEL DISCUSSION—Application of zircon, magnetite and apatite geochemistry these indicator minerals should help to mineral exploration (PANEL: Farhad Bouzari, Sarah explorers to identify the geochemical Dare, Robert Lee, Christopher Leslie) fingerprint of a mineral deposit and discriminate it from other deposit styles Zircon as a pathfinder for porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits—Yongjun Lu and background rocks. From arc magmas to porphyry deposits – Applications of lithogeochemistry and As part of CODES’ biannual Ore mineral chemistry to exploration—Christian Ihlenfeld Deposit Geochemistry, Hydrology and Geochronology short course, we are Using zircon, titanite and apatite in porphyry exploration—Matthew Loader presenting a one-day symposium on exploration and research applications PANEL DISCUSSION—Porphyry indicator minerals: zircon, titanite and apatite of magmatic indicator minerals for (PANEL: Christian Ihlenfeld, Yongjun Lu, magmatic and hydrothermal ore Matthew Loader) deposits. A series of presenters from world-leading researchers in mineral exploration research groups, government and industry will give presentations and participate in panel discussions that provide symposium participants with a state-of-the-art appraisal of this important Please contact [email protected] for further information and to register. and developing new field of * NB For full-course participants of the Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Hydrology and geochemical exploration. Geochronology Masters short course, this symposium is included in your registration
22 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 BLAST FROM THE PAST
Team meeting: this photo was taken this was doubtless a lovely babbling (from left to right) Murray Hitzman, by Stuart Bull in 2001, during the watercourse in the wet season, it Mawson Croaker, Nikki Pollington, early days of Amira/ARC Project 544 rapidly degenerated into a series of David Selley, Peter McGoldrick and ‘Proterozoic sediment-hosted Cu fetid, fragrant and debris-choked David Broughton.” deposits’. He recalls: “We had rented waterholes perfect for breeding the two apartments for the research team Anopheles mosquito during the course If you have photos from CODES’ in Kitwe in the Zambian Copperbelt of the dry season when we were doing past you are willing to share please which were just outside the centre of our fieldwork. Pictured forcing down email us ([email protected]) town close to the Kitwe Stream. While the evening medicinal gin and tonic are
THE ROCK LIBRARY’S DEBUT ON THE SMALL SCREEN!
In February our Earth Sciences/ the Lost Rocks art project. Her book Information about the launch of the Lost CODES Rock Library Curator Izzy recounts her memories of being a child Rocks project: https://www.salarts.org. von Lichtan was instrumental in of a geologist, and the hours she spent au/event/lost-rocks-launch/ facilitating a visit to, and filming with him in the field, and also playing session of, the extensive rock in the collection (before OH&S!). collection here at UTAS; the “In February I took her, artist Margaret resulting film formed part of the Woodward and filmographer Justy slow-publishing artwork called Phillips around the collection for part Lost Rocks (2017–2021). of a day, filming Robyn’s recollections. Izzy explains: “Last year Robyn Banks, A poetic film has resulted, which can daughter of one of the founding UTAS be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/ geology professors, Professor Max user9353176 (click on the video titled Banks, contacted me about some fossil Robyn Banks, Fossil IV, 2021. Lost Rocks questions. I discovered recently that (2017–2021) it was part of her research for her book which is part of Seam IX of A short book, titled Fossil by Robyn Banks, forms part of the Lost Rocks art project.
ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021 23 A MESSAGE While the COVID pandemic continues to at this time who are interested in FROM THE create major disruptions and challenges an industry career may be making CODES globally, it has been an intriguing a strategically wise choice – there DIRECTOR, time for the minerals industry both are predictions that in the medium PROFESSOR domestically and internationally, with term, society’s desire to transition to DAVID COOKE copper and gold prices currently near a low-carbon energy future will drive historic highs, due in part to short-term significant growth in demand for I am sure many welcomed the passing supply issues and financial volatility. copper and ‘battery’ metals such as of 2020 with a sense of relief and a These high metal prices coupled cobalt, nickel and lithium. The global hope for significant improvement with border closures have stimulated structural deficit in copper supplies in circumstances for all in the new domestic employment opportunities being forecast by BHP and other major year. Over the first months of 2021, in the resource sector, which may copper producers from the mid-2020s UTAS staff and students have been have contributed to increased student is one indication that our new students fortunate to be able to return to face- interest in resource-related academic may find themselves graduating in to-face student teaching following disciplines at UTAS in 2021. a strong employment market with COVID-safe protocols. Our Honours the need to discover more resources, students are currently conducting Whatever the underlying drivers, it and to mine existing resources more fieldwork in Tasmania, and several has certainly been very pleasing to sustainably and effectively. They undergraduate and postgraduate see a significant growth in first-year should enjoy many opportunities to field excursions have been completed enrolments in Earth Sciences this year. help shape a more sustainable mining over the past two months. Our SEG An increased student base in resource- industry and to contribute positively to Student Chapter is preparing for a related STEM subjects is essential for helping resolve some of the significant four-day field excursion to King Island providing a more sustainable pipeline long-term environmental challenges in April, where they will experience of highly qualified professionals for the that our society faces. the hidden ‘geology paradise’ that minerals industry, and also facilitates few geoscientists get to visit, including growth in our capacity for fundamental Best regards a chance to visit the world-class Earth science research and training. Dave tungsten skarn deposit at Grassy. Students choosing to study geology
UPCOMING SHORT COURSES
ORE DEPOSIT GEOCHEMISTRY, For more details, download the most Delivery mode/location: Online recent flyer (PDF 474KB) at: https:// HYDROLOGY AND A flyer will be available shortly on the www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/ GEOCHRONOLOGY CODES website. (KEA704/KEA709) pdf_file/0017/1432403/Geochem-SC- 31 MAY–5 JUNE AND 2021-FINAL.pdf GEOMETALLURGY (KEA711) 5–9 JULY 2021 FUNDAMENTALS OF ECONOMIC 18–29 OCTOBER 2021 COURSE LEADER: DAVID COOKE GEOLOGY (KEA716) On-campus delivery and field trip to This course covers a variety of 30 AUGUST–10 SEPTEMBER 2021 northwest Tasmania. geochemical and geochronological COURSE LEADER: DAVID COOKE techniques used to interpret ORES IN MAGMATIC ARCS environments of ore formation and This entirely new short course teaches (KEA707) the fundamental skills needed by all processes of ore genesis, and discusses 26 NOVEMBER–8 DECEMBER 2021 the implications of these datasets for economic geologists. Concepts of Field-based short course, likely mineral exploration. Topics include key geological concepts, mineralogy, delivered in NSW and/or Queensland Ar-Ar, U-Pb and Re-Os geochronology, paragenesis, geochemistry and due to international travel restrictions. whole rock and trace element geophysical characteristics of ore- chemistry of igneous rocks, sulfide forming environments, and the impact trace element chemistry, stable and of these data sets on ore genesis and radiogenic isotopes, fluid inclusions exploration are taught. The short course For further information about and hydrothermal geochemistry. focusses on identifying and using key short courses, please email: tools to recognise the sequence of [email protected] OR Delivery mode/location: Part 1: events that have impacted ore-forming Master of Economic Geology Program Online; Part 2: Online and face-to-face environments, and how these tools can Co-ordinator, Dr Robert Scott: options, Tasmania (Australia). [email protected] be best used in an exploration context For all other CODES contacts, to solve exploration, mineral processing see page 2. and environmental problems.
24 ORE SOLUTIONS > AUTUMN 2021