The following PhD studentship will be available in the Deaprtment of
Geology at Leicester starting in September this year. This is a CASE
studentship funded by the DTI link Programme in conjunction with Glebe
Mines, BGS, Geometrics, MIRO and other members of the FIESTA
consortium. 

"Host rock microstructural and geochemical controls on fluid- rock
interaction during  formation of replacement Mississippi Valley type
deposits. : From laboratory study to exploration deployment in the
South Pennine Orefield".

Supervisors:  Kip Jeffrey  (University of Leicester) ,& Gordon
Riddler (MIRO)

The broad scale controls on the location of Mississippi Valley Type
(MVT) Pb/Zn/F/Ba deposits are well understood but the detailed
lithological controls exercised by specific carbonate units on the
location of replacement type deposits is still largely unexplained.
This is of vital importance in understanding the genesis of, and
exploration for, this type of deposit. The specific aim of the project
is therefore to explain the varying "receptivity" of limestone host
rocks by identifying the detailed lithological factors controlling the
replacement process. 

Pilot studies in the South Pennine Orefield have shown that fluid-rock
interaction can be controlled by ore-fluid characteristics, limestone
mineralogy, geochemistry and microstructure. These will be examined on
the regional , deposit and micro scale including the variations found
in deposit related lithostratagraphic setting. Experimental work will
focus on the study of mineralised occurrences, the laboratory use of
simplified and simulated hydrothermal fluids, and the controls of
limestone dissolution rates, porosity-permeability controls, and
carbonate grain surface properties. The results  will be integrated
with other available datasets using GIS and used with geological
models of prospecting areas to define target lithologies for
exploration. 

The project, which is being undertaken in collaboration with a mining
company and co-ordinated by MIRO (Minerals Industry Research
Organisation), forms part of, and feeds into, a larger study (FIESTA)
which also involves novel geophysical exploration, historical mining
information,  imagery and GIS analysis of the orefield in order to
define exploration targets and develop an integrated exploration
strategy for deposits of this type in environmentally sensitive areas.
The results will be used in a live exploration and programme in the
South Pennine Orefield. 

 The student will gain experience of: 

Field geology, mapping and sampling
Regional geochemical surveys
Mineralisation studies including fluid inclusion analysis.
Exploration drilling programmes
Use of XRD, XRF, SEM, ICP, EPMA, microscopy, and wet chemical
techniques Laboratory investigation of host rock physical properties.
Geographical Information Systems Computerised deposit modelling Data
analysis interpretation and integration. Working in an integrated
multi-disciplinary exploration project

Close participation with the other facets of the project will also
develop understanding of complimentary exploration skills and involve
project planning, communication skills and progress reporting


The project is an exciting opportunity to participate, with an
industrial partner, in a consortium-based, research-led, multi-faceted
mineralisation and exploration study identifying and developing
methods for rapid deployment in a live exploration programme.

The successful student will have a good BSc (Hons) or MSc in Geology,
Applied Geology  or related topic and have interests in, and
enthusiasm to extend their knowledge of hydrothermal mineralisation, 
minerals exploration, carbonate sedimentology and petrography, and
material characterisation. Students with appropriate postgraduate
qualifications and experience are also encouraged to apply. The
student will work closely with the other members of the  broadly based
project team giving wide exposure to complimentary parts of the
exploration programme. Time management, people and  presentational
skills as well as technical ability will be needed in contributing to
this multi-faceted study which will involve dissemination of the
results via presentations at meetings and conferences.


For informal discussions please contact Kip Jeffrey on 0116-2523799,
or e-mail [log in to unmask] 

To apply, please send your CV and a letter of application , complete
with the names and addresses of 2 academic referees, to C. Jeffrey,
Department of Geology, Leicester University, Leicester, LE1 7RH. 



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