Development of a genetic model for targeting gold mineralisation in the Scottish Dalradian

该项目是一个独特而及时的机会，与黄金矿业公司Scotgold Resources合作，以确定形成和定位苏格兰Dalradian金矿化的基本控制。Scotgold于二零零七年收购Cononish存款后，经进一步勘探及研究，一座金矿计划于二零一零年投产。这将是英国唯一的金属矿和苏格兰的第一个金矿。尽管之前对苏格兰高地进行了数十年的深入研究，但Scotgold的研究发现了目前对该地区地质和矿化本身的理解存在缺陷（考虑到具有挑战性的地形和气候，这可能并不令人惊讶）。Scotgold在该地区发现了许多新的金矿，并认为可能还存在其他类似于Cononish的矿床，但要成功勘探其他矿床，需要开发新的矿化成因模型。我们建议，开发这个模型的最佳方式是通过一个博士项目，涉及一个有才华的地质学毕业生，与专家的监督。学生将有机会获得该地区的所有现有信息和材料，以及该地区和Cononish存款本身的新数据;后者从它将被开采的第一天开始-这对博士生来说是一个难得的职业机会。这种方法得到了项目合作伙伴的热情支持，他们为学生提供了广泛的培训和财政支持。该项目将让学生直接体验现代矿产勘探行业中使用的方法。主要目标为了开发成因模型，我们将：（1）通过精确测年评估矿化和火成岩事件之间的联系。(2)通过详细的岩心测井、绘图、岩相学和GIS分析，以及流体包裹体显微测温和稳定同位素测量，检查矿化系统内的几何形状和流体流动路径。(3)检查苏格兰高地的新金矿点，并将这些数据和Cononish与现有数据整合。学生将接受地下测绘、岩心测井、矿化野外测绘、岩相学等方面的培训（透射光和反射光、SEM、阴极发光和电子探针）、各种数据集的GIS分析（航空照片、构造数据、岩石地球化学、水系沉积物和化验数据）流体包裹体显微测温、Ar-Ar和U-Pb法定年、稳定同位素（O，H，（1）测量和解释。除了与Scotgold主管举行正式会议外，学生每年将在位于廷德鲁姆的Scotgold工作4个月。项目合作伙伴将监督学生的持续专业发展计划。对英国经济的好处这项工作将导致廷德鲁姆和西南高地的黄金持续负责任的发展，可持续地支持当地经济。按目前的金属价格，仅Cononish存款一项就价值超过1.5亿美元，将产生重大的积极经济影响。预计该矿将直接雇用60人，并在当地创造两倍于此的间接就业机会。还有机会使用当地黄金制作珠宝，这要求一个溢价。国家公园（矿产规划局）正在鼓励开发，以帮助当地经济多样化。该培训将通过培养一名高就业率的博士毕业生，使英国经济受益，该博士毕业生可能会与英国注册或伦敦证交所上市的采矿或勘探公司合作（见这方面主管的跟踪记录），不仅勘探黄金，还勘探低碳经济所需的许多其他矿产品。该研究成果对世界其他晚造山带金矿的找矿具有一定的借鉴意义。

This project is a unique and timely opportunity to work with a gold mining company, Scotgold Resources, to define the fundamental controls that form and locate gold mineralisation in the Scottish Dalradian. Following acquisition of the Cononish deposit by Scotgold in 2007, and further exploration and research by them, a gold mine is scheduled to come on-stream in 2010. This will be Britain's only metalliferous mine and Scotland's first gold mine. Despite decades of previous intensive study of the Scottish Highlands, Scotgold's research has identified shortcomings in current understanding of the geology of this area and of the mineralisation itself (perhaps not so surprising given the challenging terrain and climate). Scotgold have located numerous new gold showings in the area and believe that other deposits similar to Cononish may also exist, but that successful exploration for other deposits requires the development of a new genetic model for the mineralisation. We propose that the best way to develop this model is a via a PhD project that involves a talented geology graduate, with expert supervision. The student will have access to all existing information and materials from the district, plus new data from the area and on the Cononish deposit itself; the latter from the very first day that it will be mined - a rare and career-making opportunity for a PhD student. This approach is enthusiastically supported by the Project Partners who are providing extensive training and financial support for the studentship. The project will give the student direct experience of the methods used in the modern mineral exploration industry. Key Objectives To develop the genetic model we will: (1) Assess the linkage between the mineralisation and igneous events by precise dating of both. (2) Examine the geometry and fluid flow paths within the mineralising system by detailed core logging, mapping, petrography and GIS analysis followed by fluid inclusion microthermometry and stable isotope measurements. (3) Examine new gold occurrences across the Scottish Highlands and integrate data from these and Cononish with existing data. The student will receive training in underground mapping, drill core logging, field mapping of mineralisation, petrography (transmitted and reflected light, SEM, cathodeluminescence and electron microprobe), GIS analysis of a variety of datasets (air photographs, structural data, lithogeochemistry, stream sediment and assay data) fluid inclusion microthermometry, dating by Ar-Ar and U-Pb methods, stable isotope (O, H, S) measurements and interpretation. The student will spend 4 months per year working with Scotgold based in Tyndrum, in addition to formal meetings with Scotgold supervisors. The Project Partner will oversee a programme of Continuing Professional Development for the student. Benefits to the UK economy This work will lead to continued responsible development of gold in Tyndrum and the SW Highlands which sustainably supports the local economy. At current metal prices the Cononish deposit alone has a value of over $150 m and will have a significant positive economic impact. The mine is predicted to directly employ 60 people and create twice times that number of indirect employment opportunities locally. There is also the opportunity for creation of jewellery fabrication using local gold, which commands a premium price. The National Park (the mineral planning authority) are encouraging the development to help diversify the local economy. The training will benefit the UK economy by producing a highly-employable PhD graduate who is likely to work with a UK-registered or LSE-listed mining or exploration company (see track record of supervisors in this respect), exploring not only for gold but also for many other mineral commodities required for low-carbon economies. Results of this project will be applicable to exploration for other late-orogenic gold deposits across the world.