My main research interest is to understand the processes involved in the genesis of mineral deposits from a multidisciplinary perspective. The combined application of aspects of geomorphology, thermochronology, geochronology, geochemistry, structural geology, regional geology, tectonics and geophysics yield a more complete picture on the evolution of ore systems, including the varied factors responsible for the spatio-temporal distribution of ore, than the application of any one discipline by itself. Field relationships are a core requirement for understanding the geological framework of any mineral deposit and much of my research is based around geological mapping. Other components of my research into mineral deposit genesis include structural-microstructural analysis, mineral paragenesis, mineral chemistry, applied thermochronology, paleogeographic & tectonic reconstruction, geophysical inversion of potential field data and GIS based data integration, image analysis and 3D visualisation.

1. Spatio-temporal patterns of fluid flow and heat transfer associated with (magmatic)-hydrothermal mineral deposits
   
   
   I am particularly interested in understanding the geometry and intensity of fluid flow and advective heat transfer in hydrothermal systems and how this relates both to the distribution of mineralisation and to larger scale forces driving the system.
   
   Current Research Projects:- Carlin Au-deposits, Nevada
   • The goal of this research is to understand the first-order controls on the timing, spatial distribution and relative endowment of Carlin-type Au-deposits. The research will apply a combination of thermochronometers, thermometers and geochemical and isotopic tracers to map out the detailed geometry and timing of the Carlin hydrothermal systems in 3D. This data will be used to assess the relative degree of fluid flux and fluid/rock interaction in, above and to the sides of the mineralised areas to help identify those parts of the hydrothermal system that acted either as primary conduits for Au-transport and/or zones of favourable Au-deposition. Numerical modelling of the hydrothermal system based on the thermochronology data will be used to constrain the thermal budget of the mineralising system and place constraints on the large scale driving forces (e.g., magmatism, regional extension, and metamorphic devolatilisation) responsible for its location and timing.
     
     
     
2. Reconstructing physical environments of ore-deposition
   
   
   The main goal of this research is to build a better understanding of the broad scale geological factors responsible for the timing and location in the crust of major mineralising systems.
   
   Current Research Projects:-
   
   • Integration of regional geological mapping, structural analysis and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and U-Pb geochronology to reconstruct the Eocene paleogeographic, tectonic and magmatic environment of Carlin-type Au-mineralisation in Nevada.
   • Application of low-temperature thermochronology to reconstruct the syn-mineralisation Eocene landscape and determine the depth of formation of Carlin-type Au-deposits
   • Volcanic, magmatic and tectonic setting of hydrothermal mineral deposit systems - porphyry style mineralisation of the Southeast Coast Belt.
   • Structural/metamorphic history of the gneissic host to Ag-Pb-Zn mineralisation at Broken Hill Australia.
     
     
     
3. Structural control and relative timing of mineralisation
   
   I also have a long-term interest in better understanding the structural controls on hydrothermal mineralisation. Of particular interest is being able to define the structural and/or metamorphic environment of mineralisation at the deposit scale and identify those components of deformation path likely to have controlled the localisation of ore in hydrothermal systems.
   
   
4. Exploration methodology
   
   
   One of the main challenges in exploring for mineral deposits is to be able to search under sequences of pre- and post-mineralisation cover rocks. The main goal of my research in this field is to use an improved understanding of the physical/geological environment of ore genesis to derive better prospecting techniques that maximise the potential for exploration success beneath cover.
   
   Current Research Projects:- Integration of thermochronology, geochemistry and stable isotope geology to develop a cost-effective vectoring tool for the exploration of Carlin-type Au-deposits
   • This research is an extension of the work I am doing to understand the first-order controls on the timing, spatial distribution and relative endowment of Carlin-type Au-deposits (see above). Its goal to combine a well constrained geological understanding of the environment of gold deposition, with a range of thermometers, thermochronometers and geochemical and isotope tracers to delineate the location and extent of Eocene hydrothermal fluid circulation (see above) and identify where it may manifest under cover. These tracers will provide a means to define geometry and scale of fluid flow and provide vectors toward areas likely to have had large, little or no interaction with Au-bearing hydrothermal fluids; enabling exploration targets of high and low Au-prospectivity to be identified.
     
     

Graduate Students

• Jeremy Vaughan (with Greg Dipple)
• Lucy Hollis (with Lori Kennedy)
• Scott Blevings (with Lori Kennedy)
• Iskra Zamarron (with Dick Tosdal)
• Kamal Rae

Research Opportunities

1. Integrating paleogeography-tectonics, geochemistry and thermochronology to develop vectors towards ore: Redstone Copper Belt, NWT, Canada - PhD
2. Vectors to Carlin-type gold deposits - MSc