Duration: 3 hours

This course provides a non-technical introduction to the basic concepts of geology and mineral exploration, with numerous examples, figures and images of mining. 

• Explore the essential geological concepts, mechanisms of mineral formation, and techniques for finding mineral deposits.
• Understand the structure of the Earth, mineral definitions, and ore grades.
• Learn about the contrasting formation processes of two types of carbons.
• Understand the geological conditions for carbon formation and their global distribution.
• Explore the process of how weathering forms metal deposits.
• Understand the conditions and chemical reactions involved.
• Learn about various ore deposit exploration methods, from remote sensing to drilling, and understand their importance in the mining industry.

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Duration: 9 hours

Economic Geology 101 is a course for beginners in exploration geology, people requiring a basic understanding of ore deposits, students, and anyone who is inquisitive about mineral deposits and how these form. In this course provides:

• An overview of the three major rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks)
• An introduction to the geologic processes that form or influence ore deposits. In this course,
• An understanding about ore deposits that are typical for various metals, including abundant metals (iron, manganese, titanium) as well as scarce base (nickel, copper, lead, zinc) and precious (platinum group elements, gold and silver) metals. 

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Duration: 11 hours

This course describes the physical properties of ore minerals, how to identify them, their history, uses and importance. We cover 11 common metal-bearing and industrial minerals that belong to the native ores and yellow-coloured sulfides.

• Define mineral and ore.
• Recognize the physical properties of minerals and list some of the tests used to evaluate or describe those properties.
• Describe the defining properties of common ore minerals and know which tests to use to test these properties. Note: The course is written for online learning without the need to have actual mineral specimens in front of you. For those who wish to augment the course content with the study of physical specimens, instructions are given to obtain mineral identification tools and specimen sample sets.
• Recognize where metals come from, as well as their importance and use in our society.

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Duration: 11 hours

In this course we look at 16 common sulfide and oxide ore minerals of the black, grey, brown and red varieties that every geologist should be able to recognize in the field.

For each ore mineral, we examine its physical properties, history and uses. Diagnostic properties are given for each species to aid their identification in the field. Extraction methods, global mine production, worldwide reserves and resources are also described, emphasizing the importance of ore minerals to the global economy.

• Recognize the physical properties of minerals and list some of the tests used to evaluate or describe those properties.
• Describe the defining properties of common ore minerals and know which tests to use to test these properties. Note: The course is written for online learning without the need to have actual mineral specimens in front of you. For those who wish to augment the course content with the study of physical specimens, instructions are given in the Ore Minerals 1 – Native Ores and Sulfides course to obtain mineral identification tools and specimen sample sets.
• Recognize where metals come from, as well as their importance and use in our society.

Learn more

Duration: 11 hours

In this course we look at 16 common sulfide and oxide ore minerals of the black, grey, brown and red varieties that every geologist should be able to recognize in the field.

For each ore mineral, we examine its physical properties, history and uses. Diagnostic properties are given for each species to aid their identification in the field. Extraction methods, global mine production, worldwide reserves and resources are also described, emphasizing the importance of ore minerals to the global economy.

• Recognize the physical properties of minerals and list some of the tests used to evaluate or describe those properties.
• Describe the defining properties of common ore minerals and know which tests to use to test these properties. Note: The course is written for online learning without the need to have actual mineral specimens in front of you. For those who wish to augment the course content with the study of physical specimens, instructions are given in the Ore Minerals 1 – Native Ores and Sulfides course to obtain mineral identification tools and specimen sample sets.
• Recognize where metals come from, as well as their importance and use in our society.

Learn more

Duration: 11 hours

In this course we look at 16 common sulfide and oxide ore minerals of the black, grey, brown and red varieties that every geologist should be able to recognize in the field.

For each ore mineral, we examine its physical properties, history and uses. Diagnostic properties are given for each species to aid their identification in the field. Extraction methods, global mine production, worldwide reserves and resources are also described, emphasizing the importance of ore minerals to the global economy.

• Recognize the physical properties of minerals and list some of the tests used to evaluate or describe those properties.
• Describe the defining properties of common ore minerals and know which tests to use to test these properties. Note: The course is written for online learning without the need to have actual mineral specimens in front of you. For those who wish to augment the course content with the study of physical specimens, instructions are given in the Ore Minerals 1 – Native Ores and Sulfides course to obtain mineral identification tools and specimen sample sets.
• Recognize where metals come from, as well as their importance and use in our society.

Learn more