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Resource economics and mineral exploration
Resource economics & mineral exploration
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:19:24
Abstract
Global mineral economics and the methods and strategies of mineral exploration -- including geological, geochemical and geophysical methods but also non-geological factors such asorganisational, poltical and environmental aspects.
Objective
Introduce the students to how the new mineral resources are discovered, which methods and strategies are applied and how important non-scientific factors are. The latter include economic, political and organizational aspects. The geologically same ore body can be highly economic or completely uninteresting depending on how fast the project can be realized (i.e., starts to pay off), how stable the political situation is, how clearly mining and environmental laws are formulated and how well-organized the exploration company is. Different types of companies are involved in the discovery of new mineral resources and typically have different strategies for how to profit from a given ore resource during the processes from early searching and finding it, through evaluating its size and grade to the later feasibility and exploitation stages. The actual search for new ore deposits is often carried out by relatively small “junior” companies whose interest is to find a promising target and sell this to a bigger established company relatively early. The second company may then develop the project to a state where the economic feasibility becomes clear. Depending on external factors it may be more profitable for this company to sell the project to yet another company or start mining themselves. Several real-world case studies are discussed in small groups and will give the students insight into the interplay of these factors. The geological side of exploration is typically based on exploration models, i.e. ideas how geological processes led to the formation of a given type of ore deposits and in what type of geological environment they are likely to be found. These models are often highly empirical and require the integration of geophysical, classical geological and geochemical field data. Case studies for several types of ore deposits discuss the usage of exploration models from the global scale to the final targeting in a given area.
Content
Changing program depending on external lecturers from industry
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts for backgroud information and case-study exercises
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Every two years
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Resource economics and mineral exploration
Does not take place this semester.
Next block course will take place in January/February 2008, in collaboration with University of Geneva
|
No time listed | 24 h semesterly |