Akyem Gold Deposit Characterisation

Deposit Characterisation and Exploration Vectors for the Akyem Orogenic Gold Deposit, Ghana

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

27 March 2023

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic/International

Scholarship

$31,500pa for 3.5 years

About the research project

The transition to a carbon-neutral future economy whilst continuing economic growth is dependant on the discovery and the efficient recovery of new precious and critical green (i.e., copper, gold) metal resources, particularly in developing countries. Despite the significant annual investment in mineral exploration and decades of research into understanding how and why ore bodies form, the discovery of new deposits is lagging. Furthermore, new and improved methods for far-field exploration in brownfields terranes are necessary, particularly where mineralisation is located in areas that lack sufficient historical geologic understanding.

The Akyem gold deposit is a world-class gold mine located in the Ashanti belt of southern Ghana. It is hosted by Paleoproterozoic metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Kumasi Group. High grade gold mineralisation is focussed in fold hinge positions within a zone of brecciation, silicification and extensive veining in the hanging wall immediately adjacent to the Akyem Carbon Fault, a major NE trending structure, and further into the hanging wall along multiple subsidiary shear structures.

This project will aim to improve our understanding of the paragenesis of mineralisation and alteration at Akyem in order to develop methods for deposit characterisation using hyperspectral imagery and geochemical data, and characterise the mineralogical, textural, and geochemical features of the deposit to optimise mine planning and develop effective tools to aid gold exploration in the district. The outcomes of this project will form an integral part of the AMIRA P1249 research program, which is part of the Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES), a global leader in ore deposit research at the University of Tasmania.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Michael Baker

Funding

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:

  • a living allowance stipend co-funded by Newmont of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • BSc (Honours) First Class or equivalent in geology, geochemistry, economic geology
  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Proficiency in written and oral English is required
  • The candidate will possess a strong background in mineralogy, structural geology, economic geology or geochemistry
  • The successful applicant will be self-motivated and willing to work as part of a research team

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • One or more peer reviewed publications
  • The successful applicant will have solid knowledge of orogenic gold deposits and the geochemical criteria that are used in exploration for these systems
  • Experience in the mineral resource industry is an advantage, particularly orogenic gold exploration
  • Previous exposure to laser ablation (LA-ICPMS) and mineral liberation analysis (MLA) analytical techniques
  • Familiarity with GIS software (e.g., Leapfrog)

Application process

There is a three-step application process:

  1. Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
  2. Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Michael Baker to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.

Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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