Magister Scientiae - MSc (Earth Science) / The city of Randfontein, in the Witwatersrand, hosts several slimes and tailings storage facilities which pose potential threat to the environment in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD). The latter, readily scavenges toxic metals, contaminating surrounding soils and water resources, thereby potentially compromising the overall environmental- and public health of the area. To this end, three slimes sections (section T001, T002 and T003) from the Gold One Millsite Slimes Complex were investigated, with the aim of understanding metal release from the slimes dam into the Randfontein area. To achieve this, the mineralogical and geochemical factors controlling metal release were investigated using combined core log analysis, cluster and discriminant analysis, x-ray diffraction analysis, bulk geochemical analysis, acid base accounting methods and selective sequential extraction procedures.

Species composition of soil algal and cyanobacterial communities was investigated in thirteen sites of different toxicity of spoil material on dumps in the Sokolov mining area (Czech Republic). The adaptation ability of various algal and cyanobacterial species to live in toxic environment and the effect of different amendments (wooden coal, organic matter, dolomitic limestone) of toxic soils were tested both in laboratory and field experiments. According to results, species composition corresponded to environmental characteristic (pH, conductivity, substrate type). Some green unicellular algae grew successfully in extracts from the most toxic substrate and seemed to be well adapted to low pH conditions. Results indicate that increase of pH is a basic precondition for the establishment of more diverse and abundant algal flora in highly acidic sites.

O Distrito Mineiro de Salto do Jacuí (DMSJ) compreende a maior jazida de ágata em geodos do RS. O DMSJ está inserido na Supersequência Gondwana III (da Bacia do Paraná) onde são posicionadas a rochas vulcânicas da Formação Serra Geral (Cretáceo) e os arenitos da Formação Botucatu (Jurássico). Observa-se ainda a interação entre as lavas e os sedimentos (intertraps arenosos) formando feições como diques de arenito, fraturas e geodos preenchidos por sedimentos além de diversos tipos de brechas, sempre associados com a mineralização de ágata. Ideias que abrangem desde uma origem magmática a altas temperaturas como também uma possível formação a temperaturas mais baixas tem sido apresentadas, mas até o momento não há um consenso sobre a gênese deste mineral. Neste trabalho são aplicadas técnicas estratigráficas, químicas e isotópicas na análise da mineralização de ágata com objetivo de caracterizar e propor um modelo para a sua formação. As rochas vulcânicas, as sedimentares e amostras de ágata foram analisadas por técnicas petrográficas, por difratometria de raios X (DRX), por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e análises químicas (em amostras de rocha total) e isotópicas (relações isotópicas do Sr, Nd, Nd e O). Em relação às rochas vulcânicas ficou caracterizada a presença de derrames de basalto e de dacito. Os arenitos dos intertraps são semelhantes ao arenito Botucatu. No entanto, localmente, foi descrita uma fácies mais fina, argilosa e micácea interpretada como possível ambiente do tipo interduna. A ágata tem diferentes características petrográficas, químicas e isotópicas o que mostra a complexidade dos processos envolvidos na sua gênese. O modelo de formação da ágata destaca a formação de um fluido silicoso a partir da lixiviação da sílica da matriz vítrea dos dacitos por águas meteóricas. A solução saturada em sílica gerada migra através do sistema permo-poroso onde predominam as fraturas e microfraturas. Esta solução ao encontrar um espaço maior, os geodos, precipita observando a sequência: opala – calcedônia – ágata – quartzo macrocristalino. Como a ágata normalmente é encontrada nas proximidades dos geodos com sedimentos (interduna??) e também por evidências isotópicas, pode-se supor que no modelo proposto, secundariamente houve influência de água/nível freático associada com a facies fina do intertrap. Assim, com base em diferentes técnicas analíticas foi possível propor um modelo genético de baixa temperatura para a mineralização de ágata do DMSJ. / Salto do Jacuí Mining District (DMSJ) comprises the largest deposit of agate geodes in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The DMSJ is included in the Gondwana III Supersequence (Paraná Basin) where the volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral Formation (Cretaceous) are positioned, as well as the sandstones of the Botucatu Formation (Jurassic). Also, interaction between lavas and sediments (sandstone intertraps) is present, creating features such as sandstone dikes, fractures and geodes filled by sediment. Several types of breccias are observed too and they are always associated with the agate mineralization. Until now, there is no consensus about the genesis of this mineral and propositions include the influence of a magmatic source to high temperatures, as well as formation at lower temperatures. In the present work, we applied stratigraphic, chemical and isotopic techniques in the analysis of agate mineralization in order to characterize and propose a model for its formation. The agate samples, the volcanic and sedimentary rocks were analyzed with the help of petrographic techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemical analyses (in whole rock samples) and isotopic analyses (isotopic ratios of Sr Nd, Nd and O). The volcanic rocks were characterized by the presence of basaltic flows and dacite. The intertrap sandstones are similar to those observed in the Botucatu sandstone. However, locally, it has been described a finer, clay-rich and micaceous facies, interpreted as possible interdune environment. Agate displayed different petrographic, chemical and isotopic characteristics, showing the complexity of the processes involved in its genesis. The model of agate formation indicates that a siliceous fluid is generated from the leaching of silica of the dacites glass matrix by rainwater. The saturated silica solution migrates through the permo-porous system where fractures and microfractures predominate. When this solution flows into a larger space, like geodes, it precipitates according to the following sequence: opalchalcedony- agate-quartz. Usually, agate is found in the surroundings of geodes containing sediments (interdune?), but also by isotopic evidence. Taking these facts into account, we can assume that the proposed model was secondarily influenced by water/groundwater level associated with the thin facies of intertrap. Thus, based on different techniques, it was possible to propose a genetic model for the low temperature agate formation in DMSJ.

In many ore deposits throughout the world, brecciation often accompanies or occurs in association with mineralization (Sillitoe, 1985). Such is the case in the Tintic Mining District (Ag-Pb-Zn) of north-central Utah, where unique breccia features called pebble dikes occur alongside significant mineralization. Pebble dikes are tabular bodies of breccia, which consist of angular to rounded clasts of quartzite, shale, carbonate, and minor igneous rock cemented in a fine-grained clastic matrix. All clasts now lie above or adjacent to corresponding source rocks. Dikes are thin, typically less than 0.3 m wide to as much as 1 m, and can exceed 100 m in length. The average of the largest clast sizes is less than 3 cm but correlates positively with pebble dike width. Contacts are sharp and an envelope of fine breccia surrounds roughly half of the dikes. Pebble dikes are mostly hosted in an Eocene rhyolite lava flow, which displays argillic to silicic alteration when in contact with a pebble dike, but are also hosted in an assortment of folded Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. The dikes show a strong northeast trend in orientation, following a regional fabric of northeast-trending strike-slip and oblique-slip faults.The formation of pebble dikes has been historically attributed to the intrusion of the Silver City Stock, the Tintic District's main productive intrusion (Morris and Lovering, 1979; Hildreth and Hannah, 1996; Kim, 1997; Krahulec and Briggs, 2006). However, pebble dikes are spatially associated with a previously unrecognized porphyritic unit, informally named the porphyry of North Lily, which is texturally, mineralogically, and chemically distinct from the Silver City Stock, and like pebble dikes, is emplaced in northeast-trending plugs and dikes. Pebble dikes show a strong spatial correlation to outcrops of the porphyry of North Lily. Additionally, clasts of the porphyry of North Lily have been found in pebble dikes, while pebble dike quartzite clasts have been found as xenoliths in the porphyry of North Lily. These similarities and interactions suggest simultaneous formation. Low-grade alteration associated with pebble dikes indicates that they formed at elevated temperatures (<150°C). Stable isotope characteristics of rhyolite altered during the emplacement of pebble dikes suggests that the dikes formed in the presence of heated groundwater, with little to no magmatic water association. The overall physical, spatial, and chemical characteristics of pebble dikes of the Tintic Mining District suggest that they formed by the mobilization of breccia in the explosive escape of groundwater that had been heated by the porphyry of North Lily. This escape occurred along pre-existing northeast-trending faults and fractures. Pebble dikes then became pathways for later ore fluids, easing the creation of the district's abundant mineral resources.

The mineral resources of the Tintic Mining District are influenced by three major events in its geologic history; the Mesozoic Sevier Orogeny, Paleogene volcanism and Late Neogene Basin and Range extension. In this paper a detailed analysis of each these geologic events is presented to help us understand the structural host, mineralization and exhumation of the Tintic Mining District ore. A kinematic analysis of the faults was completed to determine the origin of NE-trending faults, Sevier Orogeny or Basin and Range extension, in the northern part of the East Tintic Mountains in Allens Ranch 7.5' quadrangle, near the eastern margin of the Great Basin of central Utah. The structural history of the NE-trending faults found in the quadrangle was reconstructed to determine stress directions and fault kinematics. Maximum paleostress direction for the East Tintic fold and thrust system is between 80º–100º with fold axes oriented at ~350º. For example, the Gardison Ridge and Tintic Prince faults are NE-trending right-lateral transverse faults that formed at ~30º to paleostress directions similar to those of the Sevier Orogeny. The dominant NE-trending faults in the region are likely due to (1) differential shortening during progressive orocline development, (2) the pre-deformational Pennsylvanian-Permian Oquirrh basin geometry, and (3) the influence of the Leamington transverse zones of the Provo salient. Conversely, mixed paleostress directions for the north-trending Tintic Davis Canyon fault show it is a Basin and Range extension-related normal fault that may have originated as a Sevier related fault. Other N-trending faults within the quadrangle are only related to Basin and Range extension. However, large offset, range-bounding faults are buried by valley fill throughout the quadrangle and no young fault scarps are identified cutting Lake Bonneville deposits. An Oligocene to Miocene suite of extrusive volcanic units in the quadrangle correlates well with those of the East Tintic and Soldiers Pass volcanic fields. The Paleogene volcanic section is dominated by a suite of high-K calc-alkaline extrusive rocks (35 to 32 Ma). This intermediate to silicic sequence was followed by eruption of the mildly alkaline Mosida Basalt during the Miocene (19.5 Ma) marking the transition from subduction-related intermediate and silicic volcanism to extension-related mafic volcanism in the eastern Great Basin.

<p>The purpose of this study is to describe and analyse the religious assimilation of the 17^th century Walloon minority in the mining district of Dannemora in the Swedish province of Uppland. After a general survey of religious conditions in the homeland of the Walloons and in Sweden, the Walloons' relation to the Church of Sweden is studied against the background of the more and more rigorous legislation. Their religious assimilation is analysed by investigating Calvinistic matters mentioned in the minutes and acts of the Cathedral chapter of Uppsala and marriages, baptisms and funerals recorded in the parish registers. Even if their religious assimilation was not total at the end of the 17^th century, most Walloons belonged to the Swedish Church.</p><p>Due to continued religious instruction, however, some of the 460 adults of the Walloons still adhered to Calvinism. Especially noted as Calvinists are the families Baudou and Dandenel.</p>

The purpose of this study is to describe and analyse the religious assimilation of the 17th century Walloon minority in the mining district of Dannemora in the Swedish province of Uppland. After a general survey of religious conditions in the homeland of the Walloons and in Sweden, the Walloons' relation to the Church of Sweden is studied against the background of the more and more rigorous legislation. Their religious assimilation is analysed by investigating Calvinistic matters mentioned in the minutes and acts of the Cathedral chapter of Uppsala and marriages, baptisms and funerals recorded in the parish registers. Even if their religious assimilation was not total at the end of the 17th century, most Walloons belonged to the Swedish Church. Due to continued religious instruction, however, some of the 460 adults of the Walloons still adhered to Calvinism. Especially noted as Calvinists are the families Baudou and Dandenel.

Within the area under consideration there are two great series of strata. The lower one is known as the Purcell-Belt Series and is divided into two main groups. A widespread unconformity separates the Purcell Series from the younger and overlying Windermere Series. The Lower Purcell-Belt group consists of the Aldridge-Prichard, Creston-Ravalli, Kitchener-Wallace, and Siyeh-Striped Peak. They were deposited under marine conditions from the erosion of a western Precambrian Cascadia. The Upper Purcell-Belt group consists of the Dutch Creek, Mount Nelson and their equivalents in Canada and the Missoula Group of Montana and possibly the Priest River group of Washington. This group is separated from the Lower Purcell by a period of diastrophism marked by the intrusion of Purcell sills and the extrusion of Purcell lavas. The Upper Purcell-Belt sediments were derived from the positive areas as a result of the preceding crusted disturbance. The Purcell-Belt times were closed by large scale orogeny called the "Purcell Uplift". The north-south trending belt of Purcell mountains formed a landmass which greatly affected lower Palaeozoic stratigraphy. This positive area is commonly referred to as the "Montana Island". The Precambrian portion of the Windermere Series includes the Toby-Shedroof conglomerate, Irene Deola volcanics and the Horsethief Creek-Monk formations. The clastic formations were derived from the Purcell Mountains and deposited on their western flank. Marine conditions arose during Horsethief Creek times. The Cambrian portion of the Windermere Series was deposited in a north-south trending geosynclinal trough which extended from the Metaline quadrangle to the Field-Golden area of the Rocky Mountains and probably beyond. It includes the lower quartzitic Hamill Group and the overlying limy and argillaceous Lardeau group. They were deposited as the shoreline transgressed south and east over the "Montana Island" and reduced it from one of high relief to one of low relief. Stages of emergence and resumed sedimentation are indicated, by upper formations of the Lardeau group. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Rapid technological advancements and growing environmental consciousness created a shifting dynamic of metal demand within the context of contemporary global challenges. The metals play a pivotal role in this transformation and remarkable surge in demand is expected. Mining districts such as the Kiruna area in northern Sweden, provide access to raw materials, assuring supply chain security, sustainability, and an environmentally friendly future. The district is part of the northern Norrbotten ore province, Sweden and is known for hosting the Kiruna-type iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits with associated magnetite-hematite-REE ores such as the Per Geijer deposits, and a range of other deposits, including the Viscaria Cu-(Fe-Zn), Pahtohavare Cu-Au and the Rakkurijärvi iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits.  As the discoveries of significant near-surface deposits are declining, mining companies face a pivotal choice between pursuing resource extraction from lower-grade reserves or to focus on deeper exploration targets. The geological understanding of the subsurface decreases with increasing depth, and the reliance on geophysical techniques becomes more important in reducing the search space. Using geophysics to locate and understand elements of a mineral system requires a good understanding of the physical and chemical properties of the rocks that can be translated into geological implications. Mineral system knowledge and geological concepts can be translated into geological models that can be further used in geophysical inversions with the aim of improving targeting by iterative modeling. A geophysical inversion is in fact a realization of a physical property model, therefore the value added by the geophysical model is dependent of how well the relationship between the geology and its petrophysical signature is understood. The petrophysical characterization of geological environments offers the possibility to improve the understanding of geophysical responses, serving as a link in iterative geological-geophysical modeling.  The approach presented in the current study includes the building of three-dimensional lithological and structural framework models, and investigating the petrophysical footprint in connection with lithology, alteration, and rock fabric from the Kiruna mining district. Geological modeling and petrophysical characterization are important components within the comprehensive mineral system modeling framework and enhance geophysical investigations aimed at detecting and assessing iron oxide mineral systems. A rule-based hybrid implicit-explicit geological modeling technique proved to be useful in the integration of surface and subsurface data of the Kiruna mining district, and a structural framework and geological model was produced that provides insights into the relationship between lithological units and structures. Drill core observations indicate a competency contrast between lithological units confirming previous surface-based observations. Deposit scale structural analysis in connection with the geological models indicated the proximity of NW-SE to SW-NE trending brittle conjugate fault networks with iron-oxide apatite ore lenses, revealing juxtaposition of individual ore lenses. Complementing structural analysis and geological modeling, petrophysical characterization in connection with lithogeochemical, mineralogical, and textural investigations revealed that density and p-wave seismic velocity can be used as a general lithological indicator, while magnetic susceptibility is influenced by secondary processes. Heterogeneous strain accommodation by lithological units indicates a strong influence on density, seismic properties, and the ferromagnetic properties of the samples. Metasomatic processes alter the intrinsic properties of the samples by increasing or decreasing the physical properties of the rocks from the Kiruna area, by controlling the feldspar, mica, magnetite, and ferromagnesian mineral content. Nevertheless, an extensive sample population must be investigated to understand the large-scale effects. The present work serves as a foundation for quantitatively integrated exploration models that use geological models and petrophysical characterization as calibration tools to model mineral systems.

No description available.