Teaching and assessment
Taught modules are presented over two semesters. Formal teaching ends in late April/May with a two-week field excursion to examine the geology and visit mines in an area of the world famous for its mining activity. In recent years this has taken students to USA, Canada, and Australia.
Extensive use is made of Camborne School of Mines' underground mine facilities, laboratories, mineral processing pilot plant, and the superb field geology and extractive industry operations in South West England.
From May to September, a major research project is undertaken, usually in association with a mining/exploration company and a dissertation is presented. Recent projects have been carried out in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand as well as in the UK.
Examples of recent MSc Mining Geology Research Projects
- Alteration and ore mineralogy of an epithermal gold deposit, Sumatra
- Geology and geodynamic modelling of Mount Isa and Century lead-zinc deposit, Australia
- Exploration for Cu-Au Fe oxide deposits in Northern Sweden
- Accuracy of reverse circulation drilling and titanium ore reserve reconciliation at Richard Bay Minerals, South Africa
- Investigation of geological models at Cerro Matoso nickel laterite mine, Columbia
- Slope stability analysis at a china clay pit, St Austell, Cornwall
- Groundwater chemistry associated with inert landfill sites
A research- and practice-led culture
We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field and you will become actively involved in a research project yourself. All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. You will also be taught by leading industry practitioners.
