| Effective Term: | 2024/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Economic Geology |
| Unit ID: | SCGEO2105 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (SCGEO1102 or SCGEO1103 or SX511 or SX521) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (SX627) |
| ASCED: | 010703 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This course aims to provide 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 course 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: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| 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 |
|
| 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 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Unit Content: |
•Mineral economics
•Plate tectonics and metallogeny
•Research techniques in economic geology
•Ore deposit types including rock suites, grade characteristics and mining methods
•Exploration practice
•Mining legislation, native title and environmental practice |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1-K4, S2, A1-A2, V1, V2, V4 | Students will examine a range of mineral deposits as examples of those studied in class, examine samples from those deposits, and answer questions relating to their formaition, geological setting, alteration, and mineralogy | Practical assignment(s) | 20-30% | | 2. | K2, S2, A1-A2, | Students will be tested on their ability to identify rock and mineral samples using traditional methods, based on those samples observed in practicals, and in the mineral test set | Rock and Mineral Test(s) | 15% | | 3. | K1, K4, S1, S3, A3, V2-V4 | Students will 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 Commodity Study | 20-30% | | 4. | A3, V1, V3, V4 | Students will role play a controversial proposed development application from a range of stakeholder perspectives to gain an appreciation of the range of perspectives involved | Rights and Responsibilities | 5% | | 5. | K1-K4, S3, A2, V3,V4 | Students will be tested on their comprehension of the key concepts explored during the semester | Theory Test(s) | 30-40% |
|