Science Foundation AZ

Research

Projects

• Mineral Processing
• Solar Energy
• Mine Health & Safety
• Community & Environmental Health
• Ground Water
• Economic Geology
• RRUFF
• Mining Technology
• Mineral Policy & Economics
• San Xavier Mining Laboratory

Laboratories
Publication List

Research Projects

Fundamental Geosciences

Mark Barton and Eric Seedorff, Principal Investigators

Scientifically based understanding of the three-dimensional distribution and characteristics of geochemically anomalous (including mineralized) natural materials is essential to sound public policy, to effective mineral exploration and production, and to quantifying other impacts, for instance, on water and the surface environment. Underpinning these themes is the need for focused geochemical, geological, and mineralogical work on the origin, character, distribution, and dispersion of mineralizing systems, which are larger and more numerous than the deposits themselves.

The two broad themes of the fundamental geosciences research continue long-standing UA-based federally and industry funded research efforts. In a larger sense, these are timeless science-based issues related to resources:

Better characterization and improved understanding at the local scale of ore-related materials and economic deposits (these are fundamental to the development and production of deposits as well as to broader exploration and environmental / health topics), and

Improved geological and geochemical understanding at district to regional scales of mineralized systems and their context (these are fundamental to exploration, to resource and environmental assessments, and to long-term land-use / policy considerations)

These project themes focus on the immediate needs and long-term interests of our multiple partners, which include some of the world's largest base-metal and precious-metal mining companies, as well as exploration companies operating in and near Arizona. Among the long-term outcomes of these projects will be building Arizona's center of excellence in the geologic characterization of ore-forming systems and their regional context. No other university can duplicate these strengths, particularly when integrated with the engineering, environmental, health and safety, and policy aspects of mineral resource development and management.

Projects at the Deposit to District Scale

Projects at the District to Regional Scales