Workshops

All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Pre-Conference Workshops

WS01 - Epithermal Polymetallic Deposits in the Porphyry System

WS02 - Integrating Hyperspectral Technologies and Geochemistry through the Mining Value Chain

WS03 - Creation and Destruction of Permeability

WS04 - Epithermal Gold and Silver Deposits—Geology and Exploration

WS05 - Supergene Processes: Metals Mobility in the Weathering Environment/Procesos Supérgenos: Movilidad de Metales en el Ambiente de Meteorización

WS06 - Virtual Geology – Techniques, Tips, and Tricks

WS07 - Exploration for Skarn Deposits

Post-Conference Workshops

WS08 - Porphyry Copper Systems — From Bottom to Top

WS09 - Orogenic Gold: Metallogeny to Exploration

WS10 - Hydrothermal Alteration Patterns in Iron Oxide Copper-Gold Systems: Recognition, Interpretation and Implications for Exploration

Workshop Details

WS01 - Epithermal Polymetallic Deposits in the Porphyry System

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Lluís Fontboté | University of Geneva, Switzerland

The course focuses on the late epithermal, sulfide-rich polymetallic "Cordilleran" stage in upper parts of many porphyry systems. During this stage, large Zn-Pb-Ag-±Cu±Au deposits may form (e.g., "main-stage veins" in Butte, USA; Morococha, Julcani, Colquijirca, and Cerro de Pasco, Peru; Bor, Serbia). In other cases, this epithermal polymetallic stage is recognized but is not economic (e.g., Chuquicamata and La Escondida, Chile). Correct characterization and interpretation of mineralization, alteration, and zoning of this mostly epithermal polymetallic stage is essential to evaluate potential for base metals and is useful during exploration for hidden porphyry deposits. In Spanish; slides in English.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS02 - Integrating Hyperspectral Technologies and Geochemistry through the Mining Value Chain

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Sam Scher | Corescan SPA; Federico Cernuschi, Eclectic Rock

Hyperspectral and geochemical data require exploration and mining professionals to become increasingly sophisticated and efficient in data handling and analysis; however, as increasing data challenge existing models, it is important to recall foundational geochemical and geological principles. This workshop will explore current challenges to existing epithermal and porphyry models and how these challenges are being addressed with scientific curiosity and practical adjustments to exploration strategies and mine models. Furthermore, the workshop will teach attendees strategies for utilizing geochemical and hyperspectral datasets to their full potential.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS03 - Creation and Destruction of Permeability

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Richard Tosdal | Consultant

Near-field and far-field deformation together with hydrothermal fluid flux and fluid-rock reactions are critical for creating and destroying permeability required for ore deposition in the porphyry Cu and epithermal environments. The workshop, presented in English, examines the linkages from a practical and applied perspective with the goal of providing a broad framework for understanding the complexities in these major ore forming environments.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS04 - Epithermal Gold and Silver Deposits—Geology and Exploration

Date: Monday, October 7, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Antonio Arribas | Akita University

The geology, origin of, and the exploration for epithermal gold-silver deposits. Beginning with a description of the basic geologic and genetic features of the epithermal environment of mineralization, we will explore the major epithermal deposit classes, focusing on the key elements that provide the scientific understanding and critical elements utilized during exploration. The course will be presented in Spanish; slides in English.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS05 - Supergene Processes: Metals Mobility in the Weathering Environment/Procesos Supérgenos: Movilidad de Metales en el Ambiente de Meteorización

Date: Monday, October 7, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: William X. Chávez, Jr. | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

With emphasis on the weathering-related mobility of metals, this workshop discusses the transport of metals and rock components, including the depletion and enrichment of metals in response to changes in the redox conditions in the supergene environment. Activity and Eh-pH diagrams are used to explain the transport and precipitation of metals, with class-centered discussions demonstrating the geochemistry behind supergene processes. This course is appropriate for exploration and mining geologists, as well as students interested in geochemistry applied to minerals exploration.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS06 - Virtual Geology — Techniques, Tips, and Tricks

Date: Monday, October 7, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Michael Roach | CODES, University of Tasmania

Recent advances in software and imaging systems for photogrammetry now facilitate rapid and inexpensive generation of a wide range of virtual geological objects that are suitable for education, research, and outreach. Virtual objects can be created at any scale using data acquired from drones, terrestrial photography, or laboratory systems. This hands-on workshop, presented in English, will provide participants with the necessary skills to generate photo-realistic 3D geological models, full spherical panoramas, giga-pixel imagery and virtual tours. Participants will also learn how to annotate and measure features on 3D models using free GeoVis3D and GeoVisVR software.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS07 - Exploration for Skarn Deposits

Date: Monday, October 7, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Larry Meinert | Consultant

This workshop focuses on practical field techniques to guide exploration for and evaluation of skarn deposits. Using examples of major skarn deposits around the world, including many from Chile and Peru, the course will illustrate how to use mappable skarn mineralogy to identify causative intrusions, major ore zones, and distal alteration features. The course will proceed from basic principles, to detailed case studies of major deposits, to general zonation models that can be used to evaluate grass root to brownfields properties. In English.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS08 - Porphyry Copper Systems — From Bottom to Top

Date: Friday, October 11, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Richard Sillitoe | Consultant

The course will describe the geology of porphyry copper ± gold ± molybdenum deposits, including their lithocaps, with emphasis on field-oriented criteria critical to exploration.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS09 - Orogenic Gold: Metallogeny to Exploration

Date: Friday, October 11, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Bob Foster | Consulting Geologist

The workshop will provide a concise review of the characteristics and genesis of orogenic gold systems and deposits. Topics covered will include tectonic and structural controls of fluid flow, mineral precipitation, importance of wall-rock alteration, geochemical and geophysical signatures, and exploration strategies. The course is aimed at geoscientists from industry and academia, together with students of economic geology, who wish to gain a detailed understanding of the latest concepts of orogenic gold metallogeny but based on the in-depth hands-on knowledge of an experienced explorationist. In English.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.


WS10 - Hydrothermal Alteration Patterns in Iron Oxide Copper-Gold Systems: Recognition, Interpretation and Implications for Exploration

Date: Friday, October 11, 2019

Location: TBD

Presenter: Roberto Xavier | Agency for the Technological Development of the Brazilian Mineral Industry-ADIMB

Iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) systems have become attractive targets to exploration companies due to their polymetallic nature, huge resources, and the general trend to form deposit clusters, rather than single and isolated deposits. In the Andes (e.g., Chile and Peru) and the Amazon Craton (e.g., Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil), these systems form districts that are important base and precious metal producers. The mineralization in these deposits is typically enveloped by zones of hydrothermal alteration which, together with other geological, mineralogical, and geochemical tools, provides fundamental information to ore vectoring during green- and brownfield exploration programs. This one-day short course intends to focus on ore-forming processes in IOCG systems, with emphasis on the recognition and interpretation of their hydrothermal alteration patterns. In Spanish.

Attendee Maximum: TBD
20% of spaces are reserved for students and offered at a discounted rate.