Mineral Resources in Basins: Base Metal Ore Systems and Footprint

盆地矿产资源：贱金属矿石系统和足迹

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-03967
• 负责人: Olivo, Gema
• 金额: $ 2.62万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=716740
• 关键词: Mineral; Resources; Basins; Base; Metal

Sedimentary basins are important sources of water, energy and mineral resources for humankind. Over the last few decades, our understanding of the processes related to the formation of petroleum at the basin, play and reservoir scale (referred to as “multiscale mineral system”) has increased significantly, and led to major successes in the discovery and development of these energy resources. However, the definition of a “system” is less clear for lead and zinc ore deposits, and most studies in basins have focused mainly on evaluating the critical components and processes related to the formation of a single deposit or specific style of mineralization. In the proposed research program my team will apply the multiscale mineral system approach to investigate various types of zinc and lead deposits in Proterozoic basins in Brazil (Vazante Group) and Canada (Grenville Supergroup). This innovative approach takes into consideration the various processes occurring at different scales during the evolution of the basin, such as: 1) fertility of the sources containing the commodities, (2) fluids involved during evolution of the basin, (3) mechanisms of fluid movement, (4) efficiency of the trap zones accumulating the commodities and (5) preservation of the deposits. Understanding of these processes at different scales and times during basin evolution is critical to improve the guidelines to assist in the exploration of these mineral deposits. In the next five years, this will be accomplished by integrating field and laboratory work and numerical modelling in collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines, and will involve training of 3 Ph.D., 2 M.Sc., and at least 3 B.Sc. students. Most of the global zinc and lead resources are hosted in sedimentary basins, but the current lack of global exploration success for these commodities is of concern, and the historic market demand for base metals has exceeded production. This gap will increase with the continued development and application of new technologies (e.g., new batteries, electric vehicles, which also use the by-product elements, e.g. Cd, In, Ge). Therefore, it is crucial to educate highly qualified professionals through this research program, to develop critical knowledge of the methodological approaches (field work, laboratory and numerical modelling) and of the major processes related to the multiscale mineral system, and its application to exploration. These professionals will be able to work in academia, industry and government, and also apply the acquired expertise to investigations and applications in environmental and material sciences. The research program aims to train these professionals in a multidisciplinary, inclusive, diverse and supportive environment, as this provides the best conditions for resourceful and innovative outcomes.

沉积盆地是人类重要的水、能源和矿产资源来源。在过去的几十年里，我们对盆地、油层和储层尺度（称为“多尺度矿物系统”）的石油形成过程的理解有了显著的提高，并在这些能源的发现和开发方面取得了重大成功。然而，对于铅锌矿床来说，“系统”的定义不太清楚，大多数对盆地的研究主要集中在评价与单一矿床或特定矿化方式形成有关的关键组成部分和过程。在拟进行的研究项目中，我的团队将运用多尺度矿物系统方法对巴西（Vazante Group）和加拿大（Grenville Supergroup）元古代盆地的各种类型的锌和铅矿床进行研究。这一创新方法考虑了盆地演化过程中在不同尺度上发生的各种过程，例如：1)含商品源的肥力；(2)盆地演化过程中涉及的流体；(3)流体运动机制；(4)圈闭带聚集商品的效率；(5)矿床的保存。了解盆地演化过程中不同尺度和时间的这些过程对于改进指导方针以协助勘探这些矿床至关重要。在接下来的五年里，这将通过与不同学科的同事合作，整合现场和实验室工作以及数值模拟来完成，并将涉及培训3名博士，2名硕士和至少3名学士学生。全球大多数锌和铅资源都蕴藏在沉积盆地中，但目前全球对这些商品的勘探缺乏成功令人担忧，而且历史上对贱金属的市场需求已经超过了产量。这一差距将随着新技术的不断发展和应用而扩大（例如，新电池，电动汽车，也使用副产品元素，例如Cd， In, Ge）。因此，通过这一研究项目来培养高素质的专业人员是至关重要的，培养他们对方法学方法（实地工作、实验室和数值模拟）和与多尺度矿物系统相关的主要过程的关键知识，并将其应用于勘探。这些专业人士将能够在学术界，工业界和政府工作，并将获得的专业知识应用于环境和材料科学的调查和应用。该研究项目旨在为这些专业人员提供多学科、包容、多样化和支持性的环境，因为这为资源丰富和创新的成果提供了最佳条件。