Research

This project will focus on a VMS system at Korokayiu in southern Viti Levu, where exploration is about to ramp up including a major airborne EM survey.

A 3D geological/alteration leapfrog model will be generated as part of the project, integrating relogging and sampling of available drillcore.  This project also has scope for some laser ablation work to characterise the massive sulfides, and petrophysics.

There is support for a ~1 month field visit for relogging core and collection of materials.

Recent observations at the Rosebery mine have identified a variety of carbonate and other minerals associated with vugs in the Rosebery deposit. The project will identify the carbonate mineral species and carbonate mineral chemistry with depth, and use the existing mine lithology and structural model to assess what larger scale features are controlling the vugs which host the minerals. This project will help to understand the minerals present, and the faults which control the open space filling. The project budget is to a maximum of $10,000; the scope and final research proposal will be detailed by the student, CODES staff and MMG staff at the commencement of the project.

The MESH expedition collected an exceptional sample suite from the 2012 deep submarine silicic eruption of Havre, Kermadec arc. Sediment cores sampled a well-preserved pumice-rich volcaniclastic sequence deposited by unknown sedimentary processes during the 2012 eruption. The core also contains older pumiceous deposits that have never been identified before. This project aims at understanding how these sediments were emplaced off-dispersal axis, and reconstruct from which eruptive phase they belong. The student will carry out facies description, componentry, grain shape and grains size analysis, geochemistry fingerprinting, and collaborate on sampling for ¹³C dating. Both sedimentology and volcanology approaches will be used, and results will be compared with the large dataset and eruption models currently built by numerous students worldwide.

This study is part of a huge effort from UTAS researchers and international colleagues to unravel eruption and transport behaviour in submarine eruptions. This study will allow to expand our understanding of the eruption from a different perspective, and using deposits that are not yet linked to a specific phase of the eruption. The project has the potential of a standalone scientific paper.

Hyperspectral data are increasingly being used to map minerals in drill core samples allowing a non-invasive and non-destructive characterisation of the mineral assemblages, and therefore, the mineralogical composition of a system, its variability, and structural features.

Recent work in the central Victorian goldfields demonstrated that fresh diamond drill core displays substantial mineralogical variation that can be attributed to the effects of cryptic hydrothermal alteration that might not otherwise be recognised with the naked eye. The most significant hyperspectral response lies in the white mica compositions, which vary in a systematic manner between high-Al muscovitic zones that define a phyllic alteration halo around mineralised structures, and low-Al phengitic zones inferred to represent either more distal alteration or possibly regional metamorphic background.

Using a combination of hyperspectral data and whole-rock XRD analysis, the student will detail these mineralogical trends in key regional and near-mine diamond drill core from the Costerfield goldfield to define hydrothermal alteration footprints associated with orogenic gold mineralisation.

Mapping geological features within and between drillholes is important for generating accurate 3D geological models. Within the context of mining, geological models contain crucial information for resource estimation, mine planning and other aspects of the mining value chain. Typically, in the absence of unique geochemical, petrophysical or mineralogical data characteristics or patterns, drillcore geological logs are a primary source of information used to identify and correlate geological features across drillholes. Accurate, consistent and comprehensive drillcore logs are increasingly difficult to generate given the increase in digital data collection that focuses on analytical observations and loss of personnel with site specific knowledge.

Drillcore photographs are routinely collected in core sheds across the world due to their ease of capture and because they contain geologically useful information at scales that are often not replicated in other forms of routinely collected drillcore data (e.g. magnetic susceptibility, pXRF, etc.). Drillcore image analysis is emerging as a viable and scalable source of geological information that supplements geological observations. This is due to increases in processing power, access to image analysis software, and deep learning tools for rapid and effective image cleaning and standardisation (i.e. cropping non-geological objects, clipping sticks of core and assigning downhole depths).

This project aims to identify and map geological features in cleaned and standardised drillcore photography. The resultant features could be used, for example, as a proxy to map vein density or correlate stratigraphy across multiple drillholes. To achieve this, methods for quantifying image intensity and texture such as colour histogram correlation and Local Binary Patterns (LBP) will be investigated. Data, background geological expertise and financial support will be provided by Mt Isa Mines/Glencore.

This project will run for 1 year and provide important research outcomes that will contribute to the development of domaining tools for Module 2 of the AMIRA P1249 project “Exploring, characterising, and optimising complex orebodies – upscaling orebody knowledge to add value across the mining value chain”. As a member of the research team you will have the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant and successful industry sponsored research program that aims to advance all aspects of the mining value chain through novel and intelligent use of deposit scale digital data.

We are seeking applicants with a geology background and preferably python coding skills. Applicants are required to be proficient in written and oral English and must be able to undertake the project on-campus in Hobart, Tasmania. For more information contact Dr Matt Cracknell m.j.cracknell@utas.edu.au

At Rosebery mine, Devonian granitic fluids have impacted the ore body by removing base metals. More proximal to the granite the mineralogy of the host rock changes. There is a need to document the minerals related to the Devonian granite in order to understand the nature of the fluids released from the granite. The project budget is to a maximum of $10,000; the scope and final research proposal will be detailed by the student, CODES staff and MMG staff at the commencement of the project.

This Honours project will focus on investigating orogenic-style gold mineralisation intercepted in drilling at Flynn Gold’s Golden Ridge Project in NE Tasmania. A key objective of this research is to determine paragenetic relationships, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, and absolute timing of mineralisation if appropriate hydrothermal minerals exist.

The student will undertake detailed logging of drill core available at Mineral Resources Tasmania core library, and detailed characterisation of selected samples using facilities at University of Tasmania. Approximately 3,000 m of drill core is currently available from 10 holes. Samples will be prepared as polished thin sections and round mounts for transmitted and reflected light petrography. Analytical work may include a combination of short wave infrared (SWIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe and/or laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) studies. These datasets will provide the basis for characterisation of the mineralisation and potential geochronological information.

Key project outcomes will include:

1. Graphic logs and cross section interpretations (if spatial distribution of drilling permits)
2. Description of mineralisation and paragenetic framework
3. New petrographic information on ore mineral and textures
4. New mineralogical datasets (XRF, SWIR)
5. New geochemical datasets
6. Interpretations of genetic model for mineralisation with consideration to intrusion related and thermal aureole gold models

The project scope will be finalised in consultation with Flynn Gold Limited and academic supervisor.

Vacation work will also be available.

Multiple thin basaltic beds were cored during ODP Expedition 126 in the Sumisu intra-oceanic rift, Izu-Bonin arc. Study of this beautiful basaltic succession will allow answering critical questions for the understanding of submarine volcanism and marine sedimentation of volcanic particles. Are these basaltic beds related to large subaerial stratovolcanoes 60 km away, or from a local deep seamount? Are these facies derived from fall deposits onto water, or turbidity currents? If from a subaqueous origin, can we reconstruct the water depth at the vent? This study will characterise lateral facies variations in several ODP cores to interpret transport and depositional processes in deep basins. Glass composition and volatile content of the volcanic glass (and possibly melt inclusions in olivine) by FTIR will give insights on the geochemical signature and eruption water depth, and contribute to interpretation on possible provenances. This study includes sedimentology, volcanology, and geochemistry.

Rumble Resources is focused on rapidly advancing our major Zinc-Lead-Silver discovery at the Earaheedy Project in Western Australia. With a major drill program now underway at Earaheedy the company is on the hunt for an excellent student to undertake the first research into this new discovery. The Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver project is a Neoproterozoic aged carbonate hosted base metal deposit sharing close affinities to an MVT or Irish-Type deposit style. Early indications suggest that the Earaheedy project could grow into a Tier 1, giant to super giant base metal deposit and its discovery unlocks the potential of the entire Earaheedy basin as a major new metallogenic province.

The key project would involve:

1. Graphic logs and cross section interpretations
2. Establishing a mineralisation paragenesis
3. Reviewing the host stratigraphy and resolving timing of mineralisation in context of other published works
4. Characterisation of mineralisation based on sulphide mineral geochemistry, fluid inclusions and/or sulphur isotopes

Vacation work with Rumble Resources will also be available in Western Australia.

This Honours project will focus on investigating orogenic-style gold mineralisation intercepted in drilling at Flynn Gold’s Portland Gold Project near Gladstone in NE Tasmania. A key objective of this research is to determine paragenetic relationships, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, and absolute timing of mineralisation if appropriate hydrothermal minerals exist.

The student will undertake detailed logging of drill core and detailed characterisation of selected samples using facilities at University of Tasmania. Approximately 1,000 m of drill core is currently available. Samples will be prepared as polished thin sections and round mounts for transmitted and reflected light petrography. Analytical work may include a combination of short wave infrared (SWIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe and/or laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) studies. These datasets will provide the basis for characterisation of the mineralisation and potential geochronological information.

Key project outcomes will include:

1. Graphic logs and cross section interpretations (if spatial distribution of drilling permits)
2. Description of mineralisation and paragenetic framework
3. New petrographic information on ore mineral and textures
4. New mineralogical datasets (XRF, SWIR)
5. New geochemical datasets
6. Interpretations of fluid source and potential for magmatic fluids input from local granite sources
7. Interpretation regarding mineralisation style compared to other local occurrences and orogenic systems found in Victoria

The project scope will be finalised in consultation with Flynn Gold and academic supervisor.

Vacation work will also be available.

Summary of Honours project:

This Honours project is part of a collaboration between IMAS and ANSTO (https://www.ansto.gov.au/). It contributes to the first extensive study of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic lakes as part of the ARC funded ‘Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future’ Special Research Initiative (https://arcsaef.com/). This study is focused on characterising the isotopic signatures of lakes in the region. As lab work will primarily be undertaken at ANSTO, the student needs to be prepared to travel to the Lucas Heights campus, New South Wales, at least once during the project. The student will be eligible for an Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering Honours top-up scholarship (https://www.ainse.edu.au/honours/).

Background:

The absence of extensive spatial and temporal modern hydrochemical data and palaeo-records for lakes on sub-Antarctic islands and in ice-free regions of Antarctica means that the impacts of climate change on these unique environments are unknown. Identifying the soil-water-air processes, past and present, is of relevance to monitoring ecosystem response to change in microclimates, nutrient transfer and the change in hydrology (i.e., switching of water sources). While the monitoring of Antarctic lakes has been undertaken since the late 1970s at various sites, datasets are still relatively few, especially those using isotopic tracers in water.

This project aims to use conventional (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur) and novel (e.g., strontium, boron and lithium) isotopic tracers to identify evapotranspiration, organic matter availability, microbial processing and hydrological changes, helping to understand the vulnerability of lakes and surrounding vegetation to climate change. Modern lake water surveys can be used to constrain the uncertainty associated with projecting future trends in climate and the ecological implications of change in the region. The datasets collected in this project will help to understand the modern hydrology of the study areas, calibrate palaeo-records such as peat and lake archives, and quantify vegetation change through time, including to climate change. Tracing water sources, evaporation and carbon flow will help establish how vulnerable foundational vegetation is to climate change for the region. Microbial processing and organic matter transformation in cold climates will also be investigated.

This project will form the first comprehensive spatial and temporal hydrochemical and isotopic survey of lakes across the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions applying a consistent approach, to understand present-day and past environmental processes, their drivers and what this means under a changing climate.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students to directly contact Michael and Matthew if they have an interest in geophysics, but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are many potential projects that can be arranged. Generally we do not arrange sponsor-supported projects in years with low numbers of expected geophysics students.

TBA

Regionally, the Alpine Project area is located within the south-eastern part of the Arthur Lineament – a narrow (110km long by up to 10km wide) high-strain, highly metamorphosed fault-bounded tectonic belt which transects northwest Tasmania. The lineament  divides weakly deformed Neoproterozoic siliciclastic Rocky Cape Group rocks in the west from the time-equivalent Burnie and Oonah formation turbidites in the east (Holm and Berry, 2002).

The potential for IOCG type deposits to occur within the Arthur Lineament is recognised based on the widespread occurrence of magnetite mineralisation (spread over some 40 to 50 km of strike, predominantly hosted within the Bowry Formation) with variable copper and gold mineralisation and associated anomalous cobalt.

The key project would involve:

• working with drill core stored at Mineral Resources Tasmania +/- new core where available
• geochemical analysis

Vacation work will also be available.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students who have an interest in applied geophysics, but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are several potential projects that can be arranged. Generally we do not arrange sponsor-supported projects in years with low numbers of expected geophysics students. Potential supervisors are: Michael Roach and Mathew Cracknell.

Gold mineralisation has been identified across the Archean Yamarna Terrane, occurring in both the Yamarna Greenstone Belt and the Dorothy Hills Greenstone Belt and in most rock types.  Pyrite, often in association with pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite, is typically associated with the gold mineralising event. The alteration halo of these mineralised systems includes disseminated and vein-hosted sulphides and provides a larger footprint than the immediate gold mineralisation. This footprint extends adjacent and laterally to the gold mineralisation and can be used to identify structures that have acted as pathways for mineralising fluids.

Pyrite is a very common mineral within the terrane and occurs as syngenetic and as pre, syn and post-mineralisation metasomatic variants. Pyrite has also been identified in Proterozoic lithologies and thus represents a potential ~400Ma period of occurrence across the terrane.

Project Aim: Through laser-ablation ICPMS (LA-ICPMS), identify pyrite trace element signatures within the Gruyere and Gilmour gold deposits that can identify pyrite paragenetically associated with gold mineralisation and use that information to identify prospective mineralisation pathways.

• Develop understanding of Gruyere and Gilmour stratigraphic elements.
• Confirm, understand and present the paragenetic stages of pyrite present in the study areas
• Collect and interpret trace element and S-isotope data.
• Provide a pyrite paragenetic framework for Yamarna.

Expected Activities: In the light of COVID-19 travel restrictions remaining in place, it is currently assumed the ability to visit the Yamarna site is unlikely in 2021. This will require samples to be selected by Gold Road personnel and sent to the university.

• Develop paragenesis from existing studies, core photography, TIMA imagery and drill core samples.
• Select suitable samples for polished thin sections and LA-ICPMS analysis – deposit and regional representatives (in conjunction with Gold Road).
• Prepare samples and conduct PTS interp and  LA-ICPMS analysis/interp.

Gold Road Support: Provide up to $10,000 in support for project costs, including travel, thin sections, sample prep and analyses (as travel may not be a possibility there will be more funds for analysis).

Please contact Ross Large on 0418352501 for further information.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students who have an interest in LA-ICP-MS methods, mineral chemistry or geochronology, but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are several potential projects that can be arranged. Potential supervisors are: Leonid Danyushevsky, Ivan Belousov and Paul Olin.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students who have an interest in submarine or subaerial volcanology and/or sedimentology, but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are several potential projects that can be arranged. Potential supervisors are: Rebecca Carey, Martin Jutzeler, and Karin Orth.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students who have an interest in economic geology (ore deposit geology), but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are several potential projects that can be arranged. Potential supervisors are: David Cooke; Lejun Zhang; Michael Baker; Angela Escolme; Jonathan Cloutier; Robert Scott.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students who have an interest in environmental geochemistry, but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are several potential projects that can be arranged. Potential supervisors are: Clare Miller, David Cooke, Matthew Cracknell and Sebastien Meffre.

This general category is specifically provided to encourage students who have an interest in igneous petrology and geochemistry, but are not keen on the advertised projects. There are several potential projects that can be arranged. Potential supervisors are Leonid Danyushevsky, Dima Kamenetsky, Ivan Belousov, Paul Olin, and Sebastien Meffre.