Metals in the Earth

Solving problems of the distribution of metals, and their location, transport, concentration and dispersal in high-temperature magmatic, moderate- to low-temperature hydrothermal, and surficial environments are critical to an understanding of the concentration of mineral resources and the discovery of additional resources.

Examples of this type of research include:

– building a holistic deposit model for alkalic gold-(copper) deposits based on an integrated structural, alteration zonation, and geochemical study of deposits from BC and Australia;

– developing an application of transitional metal and other heavy stable isotopes (e.g., Cu, Zn, Ag, Se) to hydrothermal ore mineralization processes;

– using the trace element concentrations of lode and placer gold combined with grain morphology to determine the ultimate source(s) of placer gold in central and western Yukon;

– using heavy stable isotopes as indicators for metal release and mobility in mine waste (tailings or waste rock); and

– determining the origin and formation of PGE-rich (and other ore-bearing) zones in mafic layered intrusions.

Below are some snapshots of the projects that fall under this research theme.

Researchers:
Scoates, James
Hickey, Ken
Dipple, Greg
Mortensen, Jim
Weis, Dominique
Gillis, Kathryn
Kopylova, Maya
Marshall, Dan
Russell, Kelly
Tosdal, Richard
Groat, Lee