11919 (v.2) Geology 314 - Regolith Exploration

Area:

Department of Applied Geology

Credits:

12.5

Contact Hours:

3.0

Lecture:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Laboratory:

2 x 1 Hours Weekly

Prerequisite(s):

9767 (v.7) Geology 205 - Sedimentology or any previous version
AND
11913 (v.2) Geology 214 - Geochemistry or any previous version

Syllabus:

Regolith in Australia and it's importance. Weathering processes. Regolith materials - classification, genesis and terminology. Regolith landscape evolution and models. Fundamentals of mineral exploration. Regolith geochemistry in exploration. Soil, drainage sediment, laterite, vegetation and groundwater surveys - Planning, execution and interpretation. Primary and secondary dispersion and case histories. Trace element analysis and data analysis.

Unit Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students will have - A working knowledge of regolith materials, their genesis, the fundamentals of mineral exploration programs and the application of regolith and geochemistry to mineral exploration in regolith dominated regions.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

Anand R and Paine M (2002), Regolith Geology of the Yilgarn Craton, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 49, 1- 162. Butt C.R.M, Anand R and Lintern M., (2000), Evolution of regoliths and landscapes in deeply weathered terrain - implications for geochemical exploration, Ore Geology Reviewa, 16, 167 - 183. Taylor G and Butt, C.R.M., (1998), The Australian regolith and mineral exploration, AGSO Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysica, 17 (4) 55 - 67.

Unit Texts:

No prescribed texts.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Assignment 30%, Final theory exam 40%, Practical excercises (8) 30%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 2	Y