| Effective Term: | 2024/20 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Economic Geology |
| Unit ID: | SCGEO3116 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (SCGEO1102 or SCGEO1103) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (SCGEO2105) |
| ASCED: | 010703 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit provides students with a solid grounding in the fundamental concepts and skills they will need to put their work in the minerals industry into its geological context. The unit describes the formation and occurrence of the major ore deposit styles in both space and time, and gives students the opportunity to improve their rock and mineral identification skills through observing samples from a range of world-class deposits. Students will also work in a multidisciplinary team to examine an important ore deposit. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | |  | | | |
|
| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Describe common ore deposit models and appreciate their significance in mineral exploration |
|
| K2. | Describe the variety of ore minerals and textures and relate to ore deposit models and formation |
|
| K3. | Define the relationship between plate tectonics and the distribution of mineral deposits in space and time |
|
| K4. | Categorise and compare a range of world-class mineral deposits and explain their importance to humans |
|
| Skills: |
| S1. | Review a mineral deposit and mining operation with integration of financial, mining, metallurgical and
geological components |
|
| S2. | Identify and differentiate a range of key minerals and describe associated ore deposit styles, and relate to commodities of use
|
|
| S3. | Demonstrate research and communication skills |
|
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Identify and describe mineral and rock samples from a range of ore deposit styles |
|
| A2. | Interpret likely ore deposit styles based on lithological and tectonic relationships |
|
| A3. | Collaborate with others in a multi-disciplinary team and report the findings of an investigation |
|
| Other outcomes: |
| Unit Content: |
•Mineral Economics and human population
•Plate tectonics and metallogeny
•Ore deposit types including rock suites, alteration, host rocks, grade characteristics and mining methods
•Exploration practice related to specific deposit types
•Mining in a modern world - legislation, native title and environmental practice |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
K1-K4, S2, A1-A2 |
Examine a range of mineral deposits as examples of those studied in class.Examine the importance, and social and ethical implications of our use of earth resources. Examine and describe samples from those deposits,and answer questions relating to their formation, geological and tectonic setting, alteration, and mineralogy. |
Practical assignments |
30-40% |
|
| 2. |
K1, K4, S1, S2, S3, A3 |
Work in groups to research and report back on a particular commodity of economic value, using a specific nominated deposit as a case study. |
Team-based research report |
20-30% |
|
| 3. |
K1-K4, S2, S3, A2 |
Students will be tested on their comprehension of concepts explored during the semester |
Theory test |
30-50% |
|
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