Geological resource mapping – field practice 1300-WKGZ-GES

The field practice in geological resource mapping course is an introduction to field work methods, essential in exploration and documentation of resources, used at different stages of both exploration and exploitation works. After analyzing geological structure of the deposit, when maps of mining excavations are available, the next step is to plan geological field work. After compiling adequate principles, the field work starts, where students map walls of the quarries. Students will analyze the lithology of the rocks taking into account boundaries between individual lithological complexes as well as variability, which could have an influence on exploitation process.
They will carry out a macroscopic description of the present rock types and identify structures and mineral assemblage. The thickness of overburden will be assessed as it has an influence on the accessibility of the resources and in turn on economical validation of their exploitation.
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The strike and dip of both seams and gangues, which occur in the analyzed excavation, will be measured and in turn expected directions of exploitation (or its selectivity) will be determined.
They will also analyze the tectonic events present in examined quarry, which could influence its accessibility, exploitation as well as the quality of the raw material. During geological works in mining excavations the hydrological and geological-engineering conditions, which could affect operation of the mining plant, will be considered.
On the basis of acquired data students will prepare maps, cross-sections and lithostratigraphic sequences in order to compile geological documentation.
The geological resource mapping conducted in the mining excavation will be supplemented by geochemical research which is often used during exploration and documentation of mineral resources.
After the theoretical introduction to the basis of geochemical research and its application, students will prepare a geochemical map of chosen area on the basis of soil samples acquired in the field. These samples will be analyzed with and XRF spectrometer and the acquired data will be used to create distribution maps of the chosen elements.