Magmatic, structural and tectonic controls on Cu-Au mineralization in the 
Solomon Islands arc, SW Pacific
Fully funded PhD Studentship
Supervisors: Professors Michael G  Petterson and Andrew D Saunders and Dr 
Gawen Jenkin (University of Leicester) and Drs Jon Naden, Dan J. Smith and 
Gus Gunn (British Geological Survey)
Project summary: The studentship is funded by University of Leicester and the 
British Geological Survey.  The project aims at advancing our understanding of 
the Cu and Au mineralisation environment within the SW Pacific. The SW 
Pacific region is noted for its Cu–Au mineralisation ‘fertility’ and includes the 
largest epithermal deposit and highest grade Au porphyry deposit in the world 
(e.g. Ladolam and Grasberg) as well as numerous other deposits situated 
between Irian Jaya and Fiji.  This project will focus on potential controls on 
this regional ‘fertility’, examining links between Cu–Au mineralisation, semi-
metal (Se, Te, Sb, Bi, As) geochemistry and magma composition (major, trace, 
REE and radiogenic isotope geochemistry) along a strike length of 500 km 
within the modern Solomon Islands arc.  A secondary objective is to examine 
site-specific structural controls on mineralisation and volcanism to address 
questions relating to mineralisation, transpressive tectonics and crustal 
complexity.  Four or five localities (three mineralised and two barren) will form 
the core of this study.  
The successful candidate will work with scientists and laboratory facilities at 
the University of Leicester in collaboration with the British Geological Survey, 
NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratories, the Scottish Universities 
Environmental Research Centre, and the Solomon Islands Geological Survey.  
Fieldwork will centre on mineralised and un-mineralised volcanic centres within 
the Solomon Islands archipelago from Guadalcanal in the south east to the 
Shortland Islands in the northwest.  The aims of the project are to: define, as 
precisely as possible, genetic links between Na and/or K-rich arc magmatism 
and Cu-Au mineralisation within a highly transpressive tectonic environment 
and; develop new exploration criteria for locating future mineral deposits of 
this type.  The student will receive training across a range of laboratory 
methodologies and metals-focused fieldwork.  This PhD will be attractive to 
future employers and has the potential to produce very high impact 
publications and real-world applications including natural resources policy 
development and regional metals prospectivity analysis.
Key project methodologies and training elements: 
Training will include: utilisation of XRF-spectrometer, electron microprobe, ICP-
MS, mass spectrometers; field and analytical procedures; optical microscopy; 
petrogenetic modelling and geochemical data analysis; mineral prospectivity 
analysis; and oral/poster presentation at international conferences, and other 
transferable skills.
Suggested reading:
Smith D.J., Petterson M.G., Saunders A.D., Millar, I.L., Jenkin G.R.T., Toba, 
T.,  Naden  J.,  and  Cook  J.M. In press. The petrogenesis of sodic island arc 
magmas at Savo volcano, Solomon Islands.  Contributions to Mineralogy and 
Petrology.

Petterson M G, Neal C R, Mahoney, J J, Saunders A D, Babbs T, Duncan R A, 
Tolia D, Magu R, Qopoto  C, Mahoa H, and Natogga D.  1999.  Geological and 
tectonic subdivision of Solomon Islands SW Pacific.  Continental accretion and 
growth within an intra-oceanic  setting.  Tectonophysics, 301, 35 - 60.

Sillitoe, R.H. 2002.  Some metallogenic features of gold and copper deposits 
related to alkaline rocks and consequences for exploration.  Mineralium 
Deposita, 37(1): 4-13.
About the supervisors: 
MGP has worked and published on the geology and geotectonics of the 
Solomon Islands region since 1992.   GRTJ has wide experience of 
geochemistry, fluid-rock interaction and mineralisation.  ADS has researched 
and published extensively in the fields of igneous petrogenesis, large igneous 
provinces and climatic impacts of large scale eruptions.  JN is a senior 
research geochemist at the BGS and recently held a Marie Curie Experienced 
Research Fellowship to work on Milos.  DJS is  a research scientist  with the 
BGS and has recently completed a PhD and a post doctoral study of Savo 
volcano, Solomon Islands. GG is a principal research scientist with the BGS and 
has worked and published extensively on mineral deposits from a wide range of 
environments.
To apply: All candidates should apply to the Postgraduate Admissions Office 
using the Postgraduate Application Form available at 
http://www.le.ac.uk/graduateoffice/application_form.pdf together with a 
covering letter, two completed references and a CV.   Enquiries to supervisor 
Professor Michael G Petterson, email  [log in to unmask]   Closing date is 31st 
July 2009.



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Geo-mineralisation is administered by the Mineral Deposits Studies Group (UK)
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