Samuel Oxhorn - Silica, Stopes, and Sulfides; Hard Rock Mining and the Geosciences

Speaker: Samuel Oxhorn

Silica, Stopes, and Sulfides; Hard Rock Mining and the Geosciences 

From the rare earth elements used in the production of smart phones and LEDs to the copper required to transmit power through the electrical grid, modern civilization has grown dependent on the extraction of commodities from the lithosphere. As our reliance on technology continues to increase, the mining industry is facing unprecedented growth and a need for skilled labor. Throughout the entire mine life cycle, the geologist plays vital roles ranging from the initial exploration of ore deposits to reclamation and land restoration processes as mine production winds down. 

This presentation will cover the phases of the mine life cycle and some of the key roles that geologists play throughout the life of a mine. I will share my personal experience working as an Ore Control Geologist in the Carlin Trend as well as an Exploration Geologist within the Carolina Terrane. Furthermore, I will provide a synopsis of the regional geology of the Carolina Terrane with a particular emphasis on Haile Gold Mine, which is currently interpreted as a low-sulfidation, epithermal gold deposit.  

Mineralization at Haile is constrained to ~550 Ma with multiple subsequent orogenic events overprinting a complex paleo-depositional environment consisting of both felsic volcanic and laminated sedimentary units that are both gold-hosting. In order to understand the processes that drove mineralization and effectively target new ore bodies, our Exploration team employs a multidisciplined approach. During this presentation, I will illustrate some of the analytical techniques and software employed by the Exploration team at Haile that are widely used within the industry. Additionally, this presentation will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of working as a geologist in mining, as well as recommendations for students on how to get a job within the industry that best aligns with their personal interests and career goals.

Host: Mattia Pistone