Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P020402/1
Multidisciplinary fieldwork and modelling skills for applied geoscience
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr J Naden, British Geological Survey, Director of Science and Technology
- Grant held at:
- British Geological Survey, Director of Science and Technology
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Mineral deposits
- Earth Resources
- Ore deposits & mineralisation
- Volcanic Processes
- Abstract:
- This course builds on two successful NERC ATSCs concerning fieldwork training in a professional geoscience environment. The natural resource (minerals, hydrocarbon, and water) industries require numerate, multidisciplined geoscientists with a strong core of field-based observational skills allied with knowledge of field instrumentation. This course will provide practical fieldwork training by focussing on an application for the mining industry. It will also emphasise developing field observation skills relevant to applied earth science research into volcanic and magmatic processes and include field deployment of several instrument technologies such as spectroscopy, portable XRF/XRD, and ground LiDAR. Delegates will experience the work flow used in the planning, capture and interpretation of field data. The training will be delivered in two parts: 1. Initial reconnaissance, campaign planning, interpretation and analysis of remotely sensed data; this will include use of high resolution imagery to create social and environmental risk maps 2. Training in a range of field observational skills that are relevant to mineral exploration, volcanology and geothermal energy in a volcanic-hydrothermal environment. Furthermore, the course will develop skills in leadership, team working and an appreciation of social and environmental issues associated with resource exploration and extraction. Delegates' personal research will also benefit from them gaining field training in a mineralised volcanic environment, remote sensing analysis, use of large datasets and fieldwork planning using remote sensing and legacy data. The course will take place at BGS (3 days) and on the Milos island Greece (9 days). It will be delivered by tutors from BGS, NHM, the universities of Hull and Leicester plus mining industry professionals. This combination of expertise will provide course delegates with a unique opportunity to develop skills appropriate to a range of end-users. It will deliver training in several priority areas: 1. The initial scoping, using data from the NERC geoscience and Earth observation data centres, will expose course delegates to a range of data processing techniques. They will also gain an appreciation of how geoscience and Earth observation data can be used in visualisation and analysis; 2. The knowledge and expertise of professional field geoscientists will significantly enhance delegates' field identification and survey skills. They will learn and apply a range of field techniques such as sampling, collection and recording protocols/methodologies. They will also deploy field technologies such as field spectroscopy, portable XRF/XRD analysis and terrestrial laser scanning; 3. The use of field and remotely sensed data coupled with a statistically-based prospectivity analysis will give delegates an understanding of quantitative and qualitative modelling approaches that underpin mineral exploration strategies. Expected outcomes and impacts: 1. The development of critical field observational skills for use in their own research and future careers and to know how to use large data resources to support research and inform results in a business setting 2. Knowledge of how field based-instrumentation can be used in a mineral exploration context and transfer this to their own research 3. An understanding of the use of geoscience information through statistical analysis to assess the quality and uncertainty of those data 4. The development of the skills needed for quantitative risk-based mineral prospectivity analysis 5. The ability to communicate research approaches and results 6. Recognition and implementation of best practice project management and planning in a team environment 7. An appreciation of the data that underpins geoscience models and how they can be used to communicate complex science ideas to a range of publics 8. An appreciation of the environmental and social impacts and challenges within the mining industry.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/P020402/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Doctoral Training
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Advanced Training
This training grant award has a total value of £59,950
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Other Costs |
|---|
| £59,950 |
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