COURSES / WORKSHOPS

All the following workshops will be organized on Sunday 21 August 2011 starting at 9:00 at Santa's Hotel Santa Claus. Please register for the workshops using the conference online registration form.


WS 1: Quality Assurance in Geochemical Analysis
Dr. Michael Wiedenbeck, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Germany

Workshop Goals:

  • Discuss the latest in best practice for the production of “reliable” geochemical data that are associated with small measurement uncertainties.
  • Provide an overview of current understanding of metrological traceability and the proper use of reference materials.
  • Describe the role of measurement uncertainty and how it is affected by such issues as sample preparation, sample heterogeneity and data acquisition.

Specific Topics to be covered:

  • Recent trends in sampling and sample preparation.
  • Proper IUPAC terminology and recent ISO guidelines.
  • Reference materials for quality control and method development.
  • The role of proficiency testing within overall data quality assurance.
  • The production of new certified reference materials.

Price: 90 €/person
Minimum number of participants: 15


WS 2: Geochemistry for risk assessment of metal contaminated sites
Dr. Timo Tarvainen, Geological Survey of Finland
Dr. Päivi Kauppila, Geological Survey of Finland
Dr. Tommi Kauppila, Geological Survey of Finland

Risk assessment of metal contaminated sites including old mining sites requires geochemical methods of analysis, modelling and long-term prediction. This workshop focuses on current research developments and best available methods/practices within this field of increasing importance. The topics include bioavailability prediction and analytical measurements as well as applications of geochemical and reactive transport modelling.

Price: 90 €/person
Minimum number of participants: 15


WS 3: Indicator mineral methods in mineral exploration
Beth McClenaghan, Geological Survey of Canada
Dr. Vesa Peuraniemi, University of Oulu, Finland

This one-day workshop will review principles, methods, and developments in indicator mineral methods in mineral exploration and will consist of presentations by some of the most experienced practitioners in the field. Indicator mineral methods applied to exploration for gold, porphyry Cu, rare metals, magmatic Ni-Cu and diamonds will be presented as well as heavy mineral recovery methods, the application of Fe oxide mineral chemistry and, the value of sulphides and sulphate minerals.

Topics to be addressed:

  • Sample processing
  • Mineral chemistry
  • Quality assurance
  • Precious metal, gemstone, and base metal methods and case studies
  • Regional, multiple commodity surveys

Price: 120 €/person
Minimum number of participants: 15


WS 4: Prospectivity mapping in GIS: integrate geochemistry data with geophysics and geology
Dr. Vesa Nykänen, Geological Survey of Finland

Prospectivity mapping is used to define areas favourable for mineral exploration. It can be applied in various scales from global to local scale exploration targeting. Geographical information systems (GIS) provide a flexible and powerful platform to apply spatial data analysis techniques as a tool for prospectivity mapping by integrating geochemical, geophyscical and geological data. These techniques include e.g. weights of evidence, logistic regression, fuzzy logic and neural networks. Application of these techniques for mineral exploration will be discussed and demonstrated during this one day workshop.

Price: 90 €/person
Minimum number of participants: 15


WS 5: Exploration for orogenic gold deposits – with emphasis on geochemical exploration in glaciated Precambrian terrain
Dr. Pasi Eilu, Geological Survey of Finland
Dr. Juhani Ojala, Store Norske Gull
Dr. Pertti Sarala, Geological Survey of Finland

The course will include:

  • Overview of the orogenic gold deposit type
  • Alteration and geochemical dispersion related to orogenic gold
  • Reference to other types of gold deposits in shield areas
  • Brief overview to the surficial geological and geochemical exploration for gold in glaciated terrains
  • Several hundred ore and alteration zone samples on display

Price: 90 €/person
Minimum number of participants: 15


ioGAS Workshop
Wednesday 24 August at 13:00 - 17:00
Santa's Hotel Santa Claus