Fermor 2011 - Ore Deposits in an Evolving Earth

This conference brought together researchers to address topical subjects in mineral deposit studies viewed in the context of Earth evolution.

Mineral deposits are the source of the vast bulk of our metals, industrial minerals and materials. In addition to being key primary sources of wealth generation and vital for a burgeoning global population these deposits are also valuable windows through which to view aspects of Earth evolution. Because mineral deposits formed at various, often critical, stages in Earth history they preserve key evidence for early magmatic and tectonic processes, the state of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, and the evolution of life over geological time. Furthermore, the very activities of exploration, evaluation and mining generate more comprehensive 3-dimensional geological information than is generally obtainable in non-mineralised rocks. Mineral deposit studies over the last 50 years have acted as a catalyst for blue-skies research into wider aspects of Earth processes, and vice versa.

Speakers

Keynote speakers included:
Andreas Audetat, University of Bayreuth
Lawrence Cathles, Cornell University
Peter Cawood, University of St Andrews
Phillip Crowson, University of Dundee
Stephen Kesler, University of Michigan
Ross Large, University of Tasmania
Gordon Southam, University of Western Ontario
Bruce Yardley, University of Leeds

Conference abstract book

A conference abstract book containing the oral and poster abstracts from the conference is available to download below: