Lowell Program Short Courses

The trip will include a focused multi-day introduction to the “Anaconda-style” of detailed mapping as applied to multiple deposit types but with a focus on the Yerington district, Nevada. The district contains porphyry copper and skarn mineralization, but the mapping method is adaptable to any type of deposit. As part of this, we highlight how mapping can be used to understand zoning, the time-space evolution of mineralizing systems, and the relationships to the fundamental phase equilibria of hydrothermal alteration. In addition to numerous other geologic stops, the trip also anticipates to include overviews and/or tours of the following districts and deposits: 

• Goldfield, Nevada [high-sulfidation epithermal Au],
• Tonopah, Nevada [low-sulfidation epithermal Ag-Au],
• Birch Creek, California [F-Be-W-(Zn) greisen/skarn],
• Humboldt, Nevada [IOCG occurrences],
• Eureka district, Nevada [partially superimposed systems, with Carlin-type Au mines at Windfall, Rustler, and Archimedes, a porphyry Mo-Cu to replacement Zn-Pb-Ag deposit at Ruby Hill, and the top of a F-W-Zn-Be- (Mo-Sn) system at McCullough Butte]
• Robinson district, Nevada [porphyry Cu-(Mo-Au) and related skarn and distal Au-Ag deposits]. 

The trip is a 10-day round trip from Las Vegas, covering about 2,500 miles in 4WD vehicles. Industry participants should plan to arrive in Las Vegas no later than Wednesday evening, as the trip leaves early on Thursday morning. Industry participants should also plan to depart from Las Vegas no earlier than Saturday night, September 7. 

The early registration cost of the trip for non-university participants is US $3,900.00, including ground transportation, all lunches in the field, double-occupancy accommodations in motels each night during the trip, and course materials. Breakfasts and most dinners are the responsibility of participants. Industry participants must also provide transportation to and from Las Vegas and their accommodations the night before and after the trip. Please respond via e-mail to brambila@arizona.edu for registration or questions.

During the course, you will be asked to sign a “Statement of Honoraria Recipients” (used in association with expenses associated with the activities of foreign visitors who come to the US on visa types B1/B2 and WB/WT). We will also make a photocopy of your passport page showing photograph and expiration date and the passport page showing the visa, or alternatively, Mexican Border Crossing Card. (Nationals of countries that participate in the “US visa waiver program” do not need a visa to enter the US.)

This intensive course deals with the lithologic, structural, and geochemical characteristics of selected major ore deposit types. Each offering focuses on an in-depth examination of a selected family mineral deposits, including fundamental and comparative characteristics, petrology and genesis, and how these can influence metallurgical, engineering, economic, and historical aspects of mining.

The deposit types that are covered include:

• porphyry copper, molybdenum, and gold systems
• associated skarn and high-sulfidation epithermal systems
• brief comparisons with other deposit types

The lecture topics relating to these deposits include:

• distribution and geologic setting 
• character of related igneous systems
• hydrothermal alteration and ore mineral assemblages
• supergene processes - structural aspects
• pre-, syn-, and post-mineral
• geochemistry of ore-forming systems
• comparative geophysics
• economics and metallurgy

The laboratory topics include:

• alteration and ore mineral types and textures
• rock suites from all deposit types

Field trips visit accessible examples of these types of systems in southern and central Arizona.

The lecture sessions are held at the Marriott University Park Hotel on the edge of the campus at the University of Arizona. The laboratory sessions take place mostly at the Gould-Simpson Building, which is home to the Geosciences Department. The building is located at 1040 East 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721- 0077, and is located within walking distance from the Marriott Hotel.

The fee for the short course is US$3,500 before the early registration deadline, and US$3,700 thereafter. 

What your registration fee payment of $3,500 entitles you to:

• Short course handbook, laboratory materials, field trip guides
• One night hotel (overnight trip to the Globe-Miami area in a double occupancy)
• Two coffee breaks per day (coffee, tea, pastries) during lecture sessions
• Group dinners (one for the keynote dinner, one on the overnight trip, and another on the final evening in Tucson)
• Lunches (boxed sandwich meals) for field days 
• All transportation during field trips 

What you pay for:

• Hotel for all nights (except for the overnight trip to Globe-Miami)
• Meals (except for the 3 group dinners and four box lunches)
• Airfare or other form of transportation to and from Tucson

We work with the Marriott to get a discounted rate for the short course participants. Most participants enjoy staying at the Marriott because of the accommodations and the convenience to the lectures and labs.

During the course, you will be asked to sign a “Statement of Honoraria Recipients” (used in association with expenses associated with the activities of foreign visitors who come to the US on visa types B1/B2 and WB/WT). We will also make a photocopy of your passport page showing photograph and expiration date and the passport page showing the visa, or alternatively, Mexican Border Crossing Card. (Nationals of countries that participate in the “US visa waiver program” do not need a visa to enter the US.)

SeE 2024 Course flyer

The lecture sessions are usually held at the Marriott University Park Hotel on the edge of the campus at the University of Arizona. The laboratory sessions take place mostly at the Gould-Simpson Building, home to the Geosciences Department. The building is located at 1040 East 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721-0077, and is located within walking distance from the Marriott Hotel.