SEG - Society of Economic Geologists

20 SEG NEWSLETTER No 90 • JULY 2012
SEG NEWS
2012 Distinguished Lecturer Dan Wood—and Distinguished Guests
Left, Dan Wood (SEG 2009 F), SEG 2012 Distinguished
Lecturer, speaks to students at James Cook University
about careers in geology. During his recent visits, Dan
also spoke at the University of Papua New Guinea
(above). In attendance were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
of UPNG (a mathematician) as well as the Director of the
Papua New Guinea Geological Survey.
Over two weeks this spring, SEG held
the inaugural courses in its “Field
Methods in Economic Geology” training
program. Participants came from
around the globe to attend the courses,
held at the Littleton, Colorado, headquarters
course center. Both courses
were fully booked. Sixteen volunteers
from industry and academia donated
considerable time and energy in giving
lectures, organizing hands-on exercises,
and mentoring the participants.
During the first week, “Exploration
and Drilling” provided an introduction
to drilling, mining, and mineral processing
methods for geoscientists new
to economic geology. Participants were
introduced to the conceptual framework
and the basic techniques employed in
exploration and mining. The course in -
cluded hands-on opportunities to practice
logging, sampling, and interpreting
RC drilling results and drill core. Partic -
ipants particularly benefitted from the
high instructor-to-student ratios, the
mentoring given by course instructors,
and exposure to “tried-and-true” as well
as state-of-the-art exploration techniques.
During the second week, “Mineral
Exploration Methods” was designed for
recently hired professionals seeking to
*SEG Education and Training Committee,
Program Coordinator
Field Methods in Economic Geology, I and II
Littleton, Colorado · May–June 2012
Contributed by ELIZABETH HOLLEY* (SEG 2010) and KEN PAUL (SEG 1992 F)
enrich their understanding
of the concepts
and techniques
integral to mineral
exploration. Course
topics included ore
deposit formation, analytical
techniques and
quality control, geochemical
and geophysical
techniques for mineral
exploration, and
the integration of data
sets to generate exploration
targets. For participants,
this was a
chance to rapidly gain
needed exploration
knowledge in a week.
The two spring courses were an
overall success: 80% of the participants
would recommend these classes to a
friend. Next year’s course will retain
the most effective components as well
as improvements generated by participant
feedback. The classroom component
will be condensed into a single,
six-day course, entitled “Practical
Methods in Economic Geology.” This
course will target geoscientists with 0 to
3 years of experience in industry, as well
as those seeking exposure to a wider
range of deposit styles and exploration
methods. Featured will be introductions
Participants review core-logging techniques.
to exploration and analytical and
drilling techniques within the conceptual
framework of ore deposit genesis.
More emphasis will be given to handson
exercises and breakout sessions so
that attendees can practice applying
concepts, with the same mentoring and
high instructor-to-student ratios as in
this year’s courses.
The field component of the training
curriculum, “Field Methods in
Economic Geology: Mapping,” will take
place in Arizona for the first time in
early December 2012. Registration will
open in September. We look forward to
seeing you there! 1